The first day of school was not the same for the students at the Owatonna High School. In previous years, the student council has put on a pep fest to kick off the new school year. However, this year is a unique case. The gym is not able to be used and there is no other place large enough to hold everyone. This leaves the option of having the pep fest outside on the football field. Unfortunately, the weather did not cooperate on Sept. 6 and the pep fest was cancelled.

The fact that the school has not had a pep fest at all this year makes some people think that it is starting to impact school spirit. Senior Devin Miller thinks that the school spirit has decreased. In her opinion, not having pep fests is part of it. Miller said, “It was really disappointing that we did not get a first day of school pep fest. It took away the back to school anticipation that we all look forward to. If we do not have one for homecoming that would make it hard to kick off the exciting week.”

Principal Mark Randall disagrees, he does not think it has impacted the students’ spirit. Randall said, “I think we have an awesome student body, and they take a lot of pride in displaying school spirit during the school day and at events. We are also fortunate to have such a supportive staff and community who also take pride in our school and showing their support and school spirit for our school.” Pep fests get students excited and bring everyone together. Although there has not been any pep fests this year, students have been showing school spirit at events.

After cancelling the back to school pep fest, the students have been looking forward to the homecoming pepfest. The homecoming pep fest is scheduled to be in the morning on Friday, Sept. 23. Unfortunately, Friday’s forecast shows that there is a twenty percent chance of rain. Principal Mark Randall will make the decision on Friday by 7:15 a.m. whether or not we will have a pep fest. Student council and the administration are doing as much as they can to make the pep fest happen. Talk has also turned to possibly delaying the pepfest until Monday. They aim to keep school spirit lively throughout homecoming week regardless of how it is kicked off.
Either way MTV Day is Monday!  Follow OHS Magnet on twitter for any further announcements.