On Friday, May 5th, Cathedral hosted the last rally for the class of 2023. As a senior, this most recent rally might’ve been the best one yet because of the realization that the end of high school is fast approaching.

Rallies play a crucial role in fostering school spirit, building community, and promoting a positive culture. The CCHS rallies provide an opportunity for our peers to come together, celebrate accomplishments, and support sports and clubs.

There are three rallies every year, one in the fall, winter, and spring. At each of these rallies, we recognize in-season sports captains. In addition, we recognize those on campus that do not get much praise. For example, during the winter rally, ASB recognized the athletics office for all they do for our athletes.

During this year’s spring rally, ASB recognized a special woman who has been by our side for six years and is retiring the crown: Mrs. Sara Rhodes. As a student who has been a part of ASB for 3 years, I have had the honor to work with Mrs. Rhodes for the majority of my time at Cathedral.

Mrs. Rhodes is honorable, kind to all, and encouraging. Every one of her students would agree and say that she is a person we should aspire to be. ASB Activites Captain, Giuliano Santos ‘23 says, “To me, Mrs. Rhodes is one of the hardest working faculty members on campus. She has been able to give me countless opportunities, memories, and lessons that will stick with me forever. In honoring her at the rally, I hoped she would feel how much she means to me and all of us at CCHS.”

To Mrs. Rhodes, ASB will miss you terribly and we are forever grateful for the way you’ve changed our lives.

To Mrs. McIntosh, ASB is excited for your leadership to come and can’t wait for next year!

During the rally, ASB showcased a passing the torch ceremony that started with Mr. Derenthal. Mr. Derenthal was the ASB director from 1991-1993. After, Mr. Geiger joined him for a couple of years and once Mr. Derenthal retired the title, Mr. Geiger went on for 5-6 more years. Mr. Colden has held the position the longest, lasting 10 years as ASB director before passing the torch to Ms. Tysor who worked for 4 years. Mrs. Rhodes is finishing up her 6th outstanding year and is now passing on the torch to Mrs. McIntosh, who I have no doubt students will love!

Rallies don’t only promote school spirit, but they also break up the monotony of the school day. When I know it’s a rally day and I get to spend fifteen minutes less in each class, I feel energized. I feel energized knowing I will soon be entering a lively atmosphere with all my peers then proceed to lunch.

At every rally, CCHS students dance to loud music and start chant wars against each grade. It is so much fun being able to watch your friends participate in games, with teachers out on the court, such as musical chairs, dodgeball, and more. ASB also starts crowd engaging games such as ‘finish the lyrics’ and ‘guess that song title’.

My favorite rally memory was when each grade competed against each other to finish the song. The first lyric of a song is played, and as a grade, you had to continue singing the song the loudest in order to win. As our school played, we got so competitive with each other until the last song played; “Lean on Me”. The entire crowd put their arms around each other and sang every word of that song until the very end. If I had to describe Cathedral in one moment, it would be that moment.

We also finish off every rally with a “This is Our House” chant, which gets us ramped up for lunch before someone yells “SENIORS, YOU ARE DISMISSED.”

The class of 2023’s “This is Our House” chant was the best one yet this past rally, as a way to close this last chapter of high school. Right now, it’s really upsetting that we are having a month of “lasts,” but I know all of these memories will be something I reminisce about down the road, because once a don, always a don!