By Jayla Stowe
Staff Writer
Homecoming is a big deal at R.J. Reynolds High School. From the dance to the game, members of the Reynolds community love to come out and show their support. Yet most do not know how much work each student group involved puts in to make the atmosphere at the game unforgettable. The football team, the cheerleaders, the Dancing Boots, and the band all work hard to make the atmosphere at the homecoming game unforgettable.
Homecoming is a cherished event that happens every year at Reynolds. It is a time when all decades of Reynolds come together to celebrate their school.
“It feels great to have all the alumni come out and watch us put together all the work we’ve been doing throughout the summer and spring.” Varsity football captain Zyaer Bennett said.
Most sports at Reynolds begin practicing as early as the end of school in May to prepare for the new season. The Dancing Boots dance team has been a part of Reynolds since 1959, and strives to bring school spirit to both current students and alumni.
“The Dancing Boots have such a long and special history at Reynolds, and I want our girls to understand that they are now a part of that history,” Dancing Boots Coach Amelia Hailey said. “The Boots have a history that goes back more than 70 years. We have dancers who have worn these boots for generations, and I think it is important that our current dancers know where they come from and how special this program is.”
Because the Dancing Boots have been around since 1959, lots of former Boots come and support the current team. Having alumni in attendance during games and performances is a big honor for the Boots.
“To get ready for the decades of Boots to see our dances, we like to start our dances in advance and work and clean them to the best of our ability, and especially for homecoming.”Boots captain Josephine Rose said. “We love to celebrate the long-standing tradition of the Boots dance team in our dances!”
Nothing makes homecoming “homecoming” without watching the football team play. The Reynolds football team and its captains feel this pressure. Football captains lead, motivate, and ensure that their team is ready to show what they are made of. “The honor of being a captain for the football team means being the leader of a great group of guys who go out and give it their all on Friday nights, like a leader of brotherhood,” Bennett said. “It’s very exciting, and it’s a great feeling on the inside.”
Many fans cheer on Reynolds, but it’s the cheerleaders that bring the most energy. At homecoming, the cheerleaders not only pump up the football team, but they pump up every person in the crowd.
“To make sure that we keep them pumped up, we interact with them throughout our routine, and just give them words of encouragement,” Varsity cheer captain Lia McManus-Shabazz said.
The Junior Varsity team also shares this determination. JV teams can often get overlooked; however, the Reynolds JV cheer team doesn’t let that bring them down and is just as involved as the varsity team.
“As long as we push ourselves,” JV cheer captain Audia Hickman said. “Just making sure we [practice] over and over again and not being too hard on [each other].”
But, out of all of the teams that make homecoming possible, the band really makes sure that the atmosphere is special for everyone. Homecoming is one of the most significant games for the band.
“Homecoming is the most important game because it’s a day to pay tribute to not only the students that are about to leave Reynolds, but to those who come back and actually support the school and what they remember,” Brown said.
For every Reynolds student, whether they are a current student or an alumni, homecoming is a special time of remembrance and celebration. Win or lose, the community loves to support our Demons.