The Lights Out Rally is a tradition at Xavier College Preparatory that has been celebrated with 8th Grade Day for over 20 years. This year, Xavier celebrated the school’s 80th anniversary through the theme, “Circus Of Screams.”
“We incorporated Xavier’s 80th anniversary with the rally this year because it’s really exciting,” said Executive Board moderator Stacy Seger. “Circus of Screams” definitely heightened the excitement because of the class spirit and participation in costumes. Seniors were magicians, juniors were clowns, sophomores puppets and lastly freshwomen were pink performers.
“It’s important for us to celebrate any milestones in a community,” said student council moderator Carol Ann Michaelson.“We should celebrate everything we’ve accomplished in these past 80 years.”
From Xavier’s opening in 1943, the school has had many traditions that continue to this day. “Xavier is full of traditions,” said athletic director Sister Lynn Winsor.
The rally took place on October 27. “It was a wonderful rally and I thought it was one of the best rallies that I’ve ever seen at our school,” said Xavier’s student ambassador moderator Ann Marie Hyland.
8th Grade Day is one of the many pivotal “admission” events at Xavier. “Seeing the rally was the reason I wanted to go to Xavier,” Abby Gliss ‘24 said.
The day started off with possible incoming freshwomen being welcomed by the school, followed by an assembly and tours of the campus and ending with the Lights Out Rally.
“I’ve talked with a lot of students and they say it was 8th Grade Day when they decided for sure they wanted to come here,” said Seger
The Lights Out Rally is the biggest rally of the year. It is favored by many Xavier students. “It allows them to feel Xavier’s spirit and they see the Xavier support the student body gives to clubs and sports,” Seger said.
Throughout the various years of rallies there have been many traditions. Some included competing in games where the winning class was enabled to “style” the stuffed gator, Ali, in its class colors.
This year Xavier introduced a new tradition, the spirit stick. The spirit stick is won by a sports team with the winning dance. This year it was won by e-Sports.
“I think they’re impressed when they see how supportive we are of one another and how much talent there is in sports and activities and how much fun we have,” said Hyland.
For the past 80 years, Xavier has continued through growing opportunities, adding new academics, electivies and activities.
After working hard through studies, students find rallies as a way to let loose and have fun through cheering, screaming and even singing Xavier’s “Alma Mater.”
The “Alma Mater” is the school song that has been sung at Xavier for many years. “Singing the ‘Alma Mater’ is, I think, a really special moment for everybody when the whole student body is singing and stomping together,” said Seger. “You’ll just never forget it,” Hyland said.
“The purpose of the rally is to come together as a community and support our clubs and teams that are participating in that season,” Seger added. While Mass is a way Xavier comes together spiritually, the friendship-community strengthens through rallies.
“We were really proud of all the hard work we put in with the other student councils and sports teams,” said Emma DelGhiaccio ‘24.
“We start planning the next rally right after one finishes,” Seger said. The next rally is January 23.
