West Haven High School had a successful pep rally on Oct. 19, featuring tug of war, relay racing, and a plethora of routines from the West Haven Cheer Team and Dance Team.

The pep rally was organized to get students hyped for the big homecoming game against Cheshire High School. Unfortunately, West Haven didn’t take the win, with the score coming to 21-14, but the Westies showed nothing but school pride on our home turf.

Highlights of the pep rally included a entertainment such the Cheerleading Team performing with the football team in one very unique, yet captivating routine.

The pep rally even included the debut of the high school’s Major Steppers, which is a combination of the former the West Steppers, and the majorette team. That group combined with the teacher step team, the OG West Steppers, to perform a fascinating routine to “Level Up.”

Yvonne Daniels, math teacher and coach of the Major Steppers, said stepping is routine that African Americans use to celebrate their culture.

“The combination of step and majorette dance is a culture of unity and dance among communities of African, black, Caribbean and Latino cultures,” she said. “Here at West Haven High, we get to share with all cultures and communities, and that’s what’s most important about Major Step at WHHS.”

The Cheer Team, Dance Team, and Majorette Team combined with the West Haven High Band to perform a special performance of “We Are Family,” which symbolizes how the Westie community will come together as a family to support all school teams.

“We can make it so that we can get a little bit of dance, a little bit of cheer, a little bit of step, and it brings us all together as one,” Ms. Daniels said.