No tradition puts LHS’s school spirit on full display quite like the annual Pep Rally. At 2:02 PM on Friday Oct. 25, the staff and student body packed into the gym to show their unwavering support to the school’s athletics.
The festivities began with the “Star-Spangled Banner,” performed by the LHS Band under the direction of band teacher Zachary Rifkind, drum major Gianna Longo, and assistant drum major Elin Kim. Following the band’s performance, the Owls varsity cheer team took the floor with an energetic routine, after which the Lynbrook varsity kickline squad captivated the students and faculty. Despite some technical difficulties, the team completed its routine without music with the help of the varsity cheer team, who counted for the kickline performers in order to keep them in rhythm. Once the issue was fixed, the team performed flawlessly with the audio in place.
Throughout the event, the varsity fall athletics teams paid homage to the seniors who have given countless hours of dedication to the sports they love. Seniors and captains were called down to the gym floor to be recognized for their efforts and address the crowd. Members of Lynbrook Owls varsity soccer, volleyball, cross country, kickline, cheer, tennis, and football took the gym floor to recount their seasons and look forward to their upcoming games or meets.
Traditionally, social studies teacher John Cornicello and health teacher Jennifer Kramer host the event. This year, however, the new face behind the microphone was social worker Samantha Lancaster, who filled in for Kramer. Both Lancaster and Cornicello, members of the LHS Graduating Class of 2003, were thrilled to host the event together. “This has been such an incredible experience for me, hosting with my Class of 2003 classmate and friend, Mrs. Lancaster,” said Cornicello. “She was a perfect co-host for this event, and I think she absolutely crushed it,” he added. Likewise, Lancaster was not short on words when asked about the experience of hosting with her fellow alum: “[Cornicello] and I go way back, and it’s always fun to reminisce and share laughs about our LHS days as students and even staff members.” She also mentioned that Cornicello worked with her in “intense pep-rally training” to help refine her hosting skills.
When asked about her favorite part of the event, Lancaster emphasized the importance of school unity. “It’s always a favorite moment of mine to see everyone together in one space,” said Lancaster. “Any tradition that can make students and faculty feel connected to others in their school is a positive in my eyes…It’s a beautiful reminder that, despite our differences, we’re united by the green and gold.” Cornicello agreed, adding, “Every year, I love how pumped the students get about the Pep Rally. They all get into it, and it fuels my love for hosting.” Cornicello added that despite this not being a Class Night-affiliated event, he loves that it is an event with palpable excitement that students can always be a part of.
A relatively new tradition also took center stage: the Care4Cancer fundraiser through the START Club at LHS. The annual fundraiser, which began last year, allows students to donate money to vote for a teacher to take a whip-cream-topped pie to their face. Four teachers were called down to the gym floor with the threat of being lathered in whipped cream, and by the end, English teacher David Yaker and math teacher Michael Franklin walked away with faces full of whipped cream. More importantly, over $200 was raised for the cause.
Another tradition looked forward to by staff and students and staff is the selection of the Homecoming Court and the election of the king and queen. This year’s court consisted of Bennett Votano, Justin Haberman, Brian Gilmartin, Cooper Schorr, and Jack LaBarbera as the nominees for king, and Cate Jennings, Jessica Strohofer, Peyton Leighley, Penelope Yaker, and Gabby Meszaros as the nominees for queen. Voting took place via email throughout the week, and at the conclusion of the event, Cooper Schorr and Cate Jennings were given the royal titles.
The next afternoon, LHS students took to the streets for the annual Homecoming parade down Union Avenue and Marion Street for the Owls’ final home game against Valley Stream North. Among those in the parade were kickline and cheer teams of all levels, LHS’s marching band, and members of all four grades toting their handmade banners. These banners officially begin scoring for Class Night, as the banners are to be judged and awarded points for the winning grade.
