Huntington school spirit soars at school-wide pep rally

May 29, 2025

Cheers, chants and rounds of applause echoed throughout Huntington Elementary School’s gym during its first pep rally in early May.

The Eagles surprised their Community Learning Center’s boys and girls basketball teams with a celebration to honor their season. The boys scored the CLC’s first basketball tournament championship title. 

“I felt like a professional. I felt like I was in the NBA or something. I felt really welcomed,” Huntington fifth grade student Mason said.

The pep rally also featured the school’s mascot and cheerleaders hyping up the crowd. The cheerleaders even formed a spirit tunnel for each athlete from each team to enter as  Principal Kristi Schirmer announced their names. She also presented the boys with the inaugural CLC basketball tournament championship trophy in front of their peers. 

 

“It felt really special that we all got to go up there – couldn't be there without the team,” Huntington fourth grade student Zakarii said. 

Zakarii and Mason are two of the six players on Huntington’s CLC championship team. All the athletes stressed the importance of teamwork and hard work on the court, leading the squad to also go undefeated this season.  

“This wouldn't have been happening without my team,” Mason said. “We played team ball the whole season and got the job done in the championship.”

“It was really fun to watch our team,” Huntington School Community Coordinator Jeralyn Klingenberg said. “Not only did we work on skills on the court, but also skills off the court, and representing Huntington school spirit.”

Huntington staff members worked overtime to create this special experience for the teams. They raced against the buzzer and organized the pep rally in less than 24 hours after the team secured the title. The educators wanted to teach the Eagles the meaning of school spirit in real time. 

“As we watched them play throughout the games, we noticed a sense of teamwork and unity,” Schirmer said. “We then started talking about how we could possibly bring this feeling back to school for the other students to experience and celebrate.”

Staff also presented Huntington’s first school spirit award during the rally to fifth grade student Braiden for his support of the teams. 

“I wanted to show school spirit and support every player on the basketball team,” Braiden said.

Huntington staff members believe the pep rally is the first of many future opportunities to help foster Eagle pride and community. 

“We want children to feel that school is a place where they are safe and a place where they belong,” Schirmer said. 

Congratulations to the Huntington CLC basketball teams for a great season! 

Boys Team

Tyler 

Jaylen 

Mason 

Dylan 

Oakley

Zakarii   

Girls Team

Harmony 

Yareli
Alexis
Abigail
Kristina
Sha'Leena 

 

Want to learn more about our Community Learning Centers? Visit our website at clc.lps.org. 

 
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