On Friday, August 26, middle school students enjoyed their most recent Funday, a Pep Rally celebrating middle school sports. As middle school Houses cheered and participated in silly games, the school celebrated the strong start to the volleyball and football seasons as well as the impending launch of girls' soccer and cross country. Our middle school cheer squad led the way with their school spirit, teaching a new cheer the whole middle school practiced to win the spirit stick. Claudia A. won a hula hooping contest for Ms. Holmes's Stax House, celebrating the endurance of our cross country runners. Kendal L. won a dizzy-power swing contest for Mrs. Hawley's River House, celebrating the power of our volleyball athletes. Cole D. won a match of inflatable bubble ball soccer for Mr. Cunningham's Wells House, celebrating the agility of our soccer players. Steven G. and Marcus L. won a face painting contest for Ms. Murphy's Grit 'n' Grint House, celebrating the finesse exhibited by our football team. Finally, Ms. Murphy's Grit 'n' Grind House took top honors for their school spirit, winning the spirit stick and fifty house points from the pep rally. Combined with the fifty points from winning a mid-week contest for brainstorming solutions to school bullying, this launched the Grit 'n' Grind House from 6th place into 1st. The House standings are already tightening up for what looks to be a fascinating race this year.