Pep Rally Recognizes Successful Programs at LPHS; Gets Fans Pumped for Semi-State

Pep Rally Recognizes Successful Programs at LPHS; Gets Fans Pumped for Semi-State

With cheerleaders and Poms dancers performing their routines, a band playing the school song and the crowd cheering wildly, one would think that an intense basketball game was scheduled at La Porte High School's Slicer Gym Thursday night. In reality, however, the gymnasium full of students, athletes, parents, and community members was crowded for one reason: to celebrate the achievements of young Slicers through a community-wide pep rally.

Click here for more photos! 

The high school has experienced several major accomplishments so far this year, as the boys’ cross country team won sectional championships and qualified all the way to semi-state, the girls’ cross country team qualified all the way to state, the marching band won the title of state champions and the football team won its regional championship and is competing for the semi-state championship Friday. LPHS Principal Ben Tonagel decided that the community needed to recognize these fantastic achievements and appreciate the hard work of the Slicer students.

“There’s just so much Slicer pride and Slicer success happening right now that we had to bring it together to celebrate it, to recognize it and to build on all that momentum,” he said.

Following short speeches made by cross country coaches Corbin Slater and John Dearing, marching band director Mickey Stisher and head football coach Bob Schellinger each presented their championship trophies to Tonagel.

Since they host the school pep rallies for the students, it was only fitting to have the LPHS teacher duo of Erin Parker and Brenda Cooper emcee the evening. Both former Slicers themselves, they understand the importance of Slicer pride and were thrilled to have the opportunity to show off their talented students to the community.

“It was amazing to see the community come out and support our students. I feel so honored to be a Slicer,” Parker shared.

One of those community members was another Slicer alumna, Mayor Blair Milo, who kindly left an event in Michigan City early to make it to the pep rally.

“I am thrilled for the Slicers, and it was a blast to be able to come and support them. All I can say is that we breed champions here in La Porte, Indiana,” Milo said.

The pep rally was held to recognize the incredible accomplishments of the students, but also to boost the morale of the football players as they prepare to play an extremely important game tomorrow. “Play For Jake” and “Semi-State Bound” posters hung along the walls, cheerleaders and Poms girls performed their routines, and the entire attendance stood and clapped along to the school song. LPHS senior Joe Swanson even led a chant throughout the gym echoing the words “I believe that we will win.”

“A lot of good things are going on around here that are very positive, so I think this was a good night to celebrate that and to send the football team off tomorrow,” Coach Schellinger offered. “It’s going to be a tough ball game, but we’re going to go over and we’re going to play as hard as we can and hopefully win a semi-state championship.”

There was a strong sense of pride in the air felt by Slicer students and Slicer adults alike. Tonagel’s “Once a Slicer, Always a Slicer” motto rang true tonight. The La Porte community came together to celebrate and appreciate the achievements of several talented groups of students and to wish the football team good luck as it embarks on its journey to semi-state.

Tonagel said it best.

“It’s just a great time to be a Slicer.”