On Friday afternoon, Jan. 23, Manual hosted an energetic pep rally to get the students hyped up for the basketball homecoming game against the Notre Dame Pandas for the girls and the Parker Wyverns for the boys.
The event kicked off with Kayden Ancrum (11, YPAS) and Nariah Grubs-Moore (12, YPAS) singing a rendition of the national anthem before the entire student body. The Homecoming court was announced after, with each pair performing their signature handshakes as their names were called out.
The Majorettes, one of Manual’s dance teams, presented a high-energy dance in front of the roaring gym, displaying their skills and talent. Then, teams from each grade stepped onto the court to play a relay game that involved bouncing on yoga balls, which the seniors won.
Next, Ben Evans (Math) announced the 2025-2026 Mr. & Ms. Manual. Those coveted titles were bestowed upon Kennedy Julian (12, YPAS) as Ms. Manual and Chase Colvin (12, J&C) as Mr. Manual.
Athletic Director David Zuberer recognized the Dazzlers’ KHSAA state championship, their 8th state title in a span of seven years. After the audience’s applause, the Dazzlers’ gave a spectacular performance involving intricate choreography, headstands and flips.
Next, the Lady Crimsons’ basketball team played a two-on-two against the boys’ basketball team. The students cheered as the players shot hoops, concluding with the boys’ victory.
To the dismay of many students, Tyler Morris (Math) announced Zuberer’s retirement. Zuberer, a long-time faculty member, received a Spirit Key as a souvenir. A brand new key has taken its place, now featuring a Ram on one side, alongside the iconic Manual “M” on the other.
The pep rally concluded with a slightly different version of the typical Red-White cheer, dated back to an old record found in “The Crimson Record,” a former student publication from Manual’s past. The seniors took the win for their final scheduled pep rally of the year and ran out onto the court in victory.
