For the first twenty-three years the Rowdies had always been all male presidents until two years ago when Kate Wattleworth was the first female Rowdy President ever, followed by Chandler Welsh last year. As this year’s RJR Rowdies is the first to be all-male again after having a female as part of the mix, will the spirit continue to uphold the intensity it has the past two years? Some are worried that the school won’t be as well represented by an all male group vs. a co-ed group. I believe that the Rowdies can continue to be a prominent group in the Reynolds community as long as they stay dedicated to supporting all RJR sports and help to encourage others to do the same.

As a R. J. Reynolds student, when you think about sports, you are bound to also think about The Rowdies. The Rowdies have always had an enormous influence on RJR athletics, but will this year be different than last year as it went back to an all-male Rowdy group? 

“Being a Rowdie is so influential because you are the people that represent school spirit and demon pride,” Welsh said. “The presidents are the ones that hype up the crowds, promote sporting events, and cheer for the sports teams.”

 “We are going to make things equal by keeping each other accountable and switching up the duties we have to do,” one of the current Rowdies Presidents, Sean Lewis said. “We can continue to impact the school as an all-male group by showing up to all sports regardless of what they are due to the fact that we just love and support our school.”

Rowdies Presidents should be devoted to RJR sports while being able to influence other students to cheer on their peers. At the end of the day, the Rowdy’s Presidents should be the most rowdy for Reynolds athletics.

“While diversity within the group is essential, the role of a Rowdy should be filled by those who possess the necessary leadership qualities,” former Rowdies President, Duncan Brown said. “Chandler [Welsh] did just that in our case, and Kate Wattleworth did the same the year before.”

 Although there is no female represented within this year’s Rowdies Presidents, they strive to keep the same quality it has had the past two years. They were chosen based on their passion for, not just RJR athletics, but for the school as a whole.

With the Rowdy’s Presidents being all-male this year, it’s extra important that all sports teams regardless of gender at Reynolds will still be supported. 

“We looked at male and female representation but ultimately agreed that Nigel [Mcdaniel], Jager [Bellissimo], Reid [Gunzenhauser], William [Tuohy], and Sean [Lewis] would be five solid Presidents and that’s who we wanted,” Welsh said. “These guys showed up to all the sporting events last year and have great school spirit, but also represent RJR very well in the classroom, the clubs they do, and their own sports they compete with.”

As this group of five takes on leading the student section this year, it makes you wonder who will be doing it next year. The more you support RJR throughout the year- the more likely you will be noticed by the Rowdies Presidents.

“Go to games and encourage your friends during sports because having fans truly does change the dynamic of a game and school spirit helps unify a school,” Welsh said. “At RJR you always need to BE LOUD… BE PROUD… and BE ROWDY!”