Nimitz High School - Valhalla Yearbook (Irving, TX)

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if-fukin' DUR During the The talking winds down to a low murmur as Big Vik makes his way to the center of the gym. l-le blows his horn, and we know the pep rally has officially begun. A simple 1-2-3-4 ... from drum majors Laura Iones and Benny Hengy, and the band starts the fight song, Fight on Nimitz High The cheerleaders make their way across the gym floor, with Vodahn Uohnny I-Iousej tumbling beside them. When the fight song ends, the cheerleaders start with an opening chant. Who ya rootin' for, N-H-S!!! The spirit competi- tion is underway. SPIRIT The drill team rushes back and scrambles into their lines while the cheerleaders make sure their megaphones are in the right places and the microphones are working. Finally, it's 7:50, and with the blare of Big Vik's cow horn, the Viking call is issued and the pep rally is underway. Drum major Benny Hengy con- ducts the band into a spirited song during the MacArthur pep rally. pep rallies As they yell the words of the cheers that are embedded in our minds, we think only of a victory for our class. We bring our pom- poms, whistles and other objects that make noise. We all listen for the cornet trio of Larry Dorsey, Iohn Soto and Tim Marshall, to play the tradi- tional GO fanfare. Then the cheerleaders gather around the microphone to give one of their famous introductions of the Vikas. Vikas, Nimitz Vikas what kind of girls are Nimitz Vikas? Portrayinf an old woman, Keri McFarlan smiles over her embar- rassment during the pep rally. After participating as the Tiger in the sophomore skit, Ieane Bal- droe helps with class spirit. STUDENT LIFE at ai

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Before the South Grand Prairie pep rally, Les Pickett hangs a sign in the freshman section. Boyd Davis and Tim Marshall lead the band down the west hall before the outdoor pep rally. 0 U R 9 PI RIT Before the pep rallies The early morning silence sits like a great giant in the darkened spectator area. Suddenly, at 7:15, the lights are switched on and every scratch on the floor and crack in the wall is revealed in a blaze of mercury vapor. Slowly, girls in blue and white gingham outfits shuffle by twos and threes into the gym to begin their pre-pep rally warm-up. - Okay, girls! Let's wake up out there. Muscles are popped awake as the disco music blares from the record player. The gym reverber- ates with the sounds of last-min- ute rehearsing. One, two, three, four Get that line straight! The cheerleaders casually stroll in, chatting about last night's phone calls and tonight's dates. They set down their megaphones and pom-poms, then begin limber- ing up. Preparing a sign to be hung from the rafters, Ieanne Hays struggles with the paper and string. lt's too early to be doing this! The Vikas are now warmed up and have their parts. Now, they can go brush their hair, fix their make-up, and preen their uni- forms. Girls you've got seven min- utes! The semi-emptiness of the gym fades away as eager, noisy stu- dents arrive proclaiming their class is the absolute best in school spirit. Help, where's the tape? The band, many of them still half-asleep, struggle through the back door, begin setting up instru- ments. and running through riffs and scales, warming up numbed lips. Oh, no! I lost my music sheets! Groups of students now begin shuffling in and head for their respective class' seating section, wondering if they'll have enough lung power to win the coveted Spirit Award this week. We haven't won it in two weeks. We've got to win it this time! STUDENT LIFE

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he start of a drum cadence and Vikas march on to the gym r to do a dance routine with 1 poms, footballs, or dressed as vns and even 50's skirts. The ory competition yell is next is always the highlight of the t rally. The four different :ses stand and yell for their ss, then stand again, uniting mselves with the others in hing the Vikings a victory. . few words from a senior ath- , no matter what sport, assures all they will do their best that ll. We're really going to try to win game - you all come out and ch lnce again, the cheerleaders ter, this time to introduce the td, with their own words to a 1-known tune. Our band, has irst name, it's S-u-p-e-r, our band has a second name, it's B-a- n-d We clapped along to the music, and on one occasion, we watched the Flag Corps. After the band feature comes our favorite cheer, Hey Gang, which was always the loudest of the pep rally. Hey Gang? twhatl Are the Tigers going to win this game? Hey, no! Then comes the announcement of the spirit award winner. This week the spirit award goes to the That's followed by the good luck cheer, victory spell out, school song and fight song. The athletic teams make their way out of the gym, followed by the Vikas, the students, then the band. Sud- denly all is quiet, and an empty echo haunts the once filled gym. X it it F ' . t urvrxw X -i X ' ar: :.. g While on an 18-foot ladder during the Cardinal pep rally, Coach King received a spirit -filled pie. Go, fight, win! , yells Lori Bates and Sandra Ercanbrack during a 7:50 Friday morning pep rally. Vika sponsor Ms. D. tDottye Stan- fordj laughingly speaks to Vika major Meladie Mitchell during a pep rally. STUDENT LIFE