By Maddy Acker
Op/Ed Editor
It’s that time of year again when the weather is getting cooler and the weekdays are filled with anticipation for Friday night lights at R.J. Reynolds High School’s new stadium, “The Crater.” While the brand new field and a promising winning streak are exciting changes, they’re not the only ones shaping the 2025–2026 school year. Leading the charge in school spirit are five new faces at the helm of the student section, notoriously known as The Rowdies.
The RJR Rowdies have been keeping the student section alive for over twenty years, energizing fans with chants, engaging with the crowd at halftime, and fueling Demon pride. While this year’s Rowdies are determined to uphold these long-standing traditions, they’re also striving to make our student section the rowdiest it has ever been.
“We are planning on doing some things a bit differently this year,” Rowdy Tommy Elrod said. “We want to do some small things like getting the Rowdies T-shirts sent out earlier, but we also have a few plans in store to broadcast more sporting events and increase our student turnout for all games.”
Each year, the group of five fluctuates in terms of gender, athletic participation, and overall character. While the Rowdies previously included a girl in their group of five just two short years ago, that inclusion has not been carried forward into this year. While the current lineup reflects only one side of the Rowdies’ history, the group recognizes the benefits of broader diversity and is mindful of how past traditions can shape future choices.
“In the past, there have been both guys and girls representing the Rowdies,” Rowdy William Martin said. “Even though none of the current Rowdies had a say in this year’s selection process, we are in favor of having diversity among the group as well as different perspectives and levels of excitement, which is something that we will be considering for the replacements next year.”
The Rowdies’ influence also extends beyond the stadium. Their growing social media presence has become a large part of student life. The Rowdies Instagram account, known for its spontaneous weeknight posts and mid-game livestreams, continues to spark conversation across campus. Love it or not, their goal is clear: keep Demon spirit front and center.
“There is only one way to describe our social media presence: heard by all,” Cannon said.
This year also marks a new era of competition, with RJR moving into a different athletic conference. While some fans have wondered about the fate of our traditional rivalries, the Rowdies are confident that the excitement won’t fade.
“I can’t wait until basketball season and the Mount Tabor game. We’re handling business on December 5th,” Elrod said.
The enthusiasm is shared by students across the board, who are looking forward to a year of packed stands and stronger support for every athletic team. From football and soccer in the fall to basketball and even spring sports, the Rowdies aim to keep the energy high all year round.
“We are really looking forward to coming out to a lot more games this year and showing support for all of our athletic teams,” Martin said.
As the year unfolds, one thing is certain: whether in the stands or on social media, the Rowdies will be making their presence known. With a new stadium, fresh leadership, and a student body eager to carry the momentum, 2025–2026 is shaping up to be a standout year for RJR spirit.