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Rousing rally honors Alonso's top students
By JOHN PETRIMOULX
© St. Petersburg Times, COUNTRYWAY -- Alonso High School's 1,400 students packed the school gymnasium Wednesday for a loud, action-filled academic pep rally to recognize honor students. The band played and the cheerleaders whipped up the crowd. The step team did its precision routine and the guidance department got into the act with a number called Leaders of the School, set to the oldies tune Leader of the Pack. "Honor students always get some recognition," said Sandy Bunkin, principal of the three-month-old school, "but not the same hoopla as for athletes. There's nothing wrong with recognizing athletes, but the truth is, what we're all about here is academics." That focus was clear as Alonso's 292 honor students introduced themselves, clad in "A-team" T-shirts. "For a minute I really felt special," said 11th-grader Caryn Holder, who made the principal's honor roll by earning straight A's. "We never get much recognition for grades." In a nod to the school's Raven mascot, each honor student received a "soar" card, allowing free entry to Alonso events and discounts at local businesses. Chick-Fil-A and Custom Golf Stix were among the sponsors. Ninth grade honor student Krystle Bueno, 14, won a bicycle that was donated by McDonald's franchisee Caspers Co. "I knew there was going to be an event for honor students," she said. "But I didn't know the whole school would be here." The event was capped off with the drama department's stirring performance of Lee Greenwood's God Bless the USA and a hip-hop-backed break dance exhibition. Bunkin says the recognition extends beyond the pep rally. "The Raven flag will fly just like for other special achievements by our athletes and performers," she said. A banquet is planned this Wednesday for honor roll students and parents, Bunkin said. Braulio Alonso, the Hillsborough educator for whom the school is named, will be the keynote speaker. Career specialist Stacie McCullers said such activities are part of an overall push for academic excellence at Alonso. "We will do this every nine weeks when grades are released," she said. "We want kids to go on to post-secondary education somewhere. Whatever their goals are, we want to support them." Adrian Mack, 15, is on board. Already on the honor roll, he said, "Next year I'm going to be on the principal's honor roll."
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From the Times |
