Students, staff celebrate end of year with pep rally

Story by Oliva Fray and Spencer Pickering, Photos by Olivia Fray, Spencer Pickering, Mara Perez, Gabby Hakes, Caroline Frawley

The students in the stands cheer for their fellow classmates as they shuffle down the football field for their relay team, hoping they can pull out a win. Students not only get to watch their fellow classmates, they also get to watch their teachers on a separate relay team.

This year is the 2nd Annual Clay Pep Session. The pep session is Principal Mr. Todd Crosby’s brain child.

“When he came to Clay three years ago , he wanted to have a place for all of the student body to get together and celebrate,” Ms. Katz, Clay Assistant Principal, said. 

This pep session was in the works since February with the Connections Team of teachers at Clay. 

“The goal of this years pep session is to first of all, have fun together as a Clay Nation, and for everyone to celebrate an amazing year. We also want to recognize those who have accomplished amazing things this year publicly,” Katz said.

The pep session will take place this Friday, May 15th, which is also the day of Clay Dance Marathon and the eighth grade dance. The pep session will be around an hour.

Last year’s pep session was a success. “We can only do it because we have such amazing students here at Clay, who can behave appropriately in the stands.” Katz stated.

All of the students should wear their Clay Challenge shirts from earlier in the year. The sixth graders are gray, seventh graders are black, and the eighth graders are red.

There will  be three relays with twenty students per grade level for every relay. Some of the relays include a sack race, a dress up rally and a waiter relay.

During the Pep Rally, there will not only be relays with students and teachers, there will also be a time to recognize all sports teams and any clubs that have a sponsor by a teacher. They will also recognize any performing arts students.

The Pep Rally was completely organized by teachers.

Mr. Sean McVey, seventh grade science teacher, is also largely a part of the Pep Rally.

“I am mainly helping out with relays and getting all of the stuff set up. I will also help supervise any students while their teacher is doing one of the relays,” he said.

Students were chosen by their teachers to participate in the events. The students who were chosen have followed the “Clay Way” all year long.

Last year was Clay Middle School's first ever Pep Session. It involved only a few students and were mainly made up of “Minute to Win It” games.

“We talked to students to see what they thought about the Pep Session. The feedback helped us organized this year’s Pep Session. Almost all of the feedback we got said that we should have more students get involved in the games and relays. We have taken this and tried to incorporate this into this year’s pep session,” Katz said.

Megan Prince, seventh grader, is participating in this year’s sack race. “I’m excited for the pep rally because it will give me a chance to represent Clay and participate in their activities,” Prince said.

Prince also participated in last year’s pep session, but she says this year was a total surprise. “I was excited when I found out I was able to participate in it because it will give me a chance to do something fun,” Prince also said.

March Madness spurs door decorating competition

For March Madness, each classroom was assigned a team that will hopefully make it to the tournament. Students decorated their seventh period classroom doors. During the tournament, losing teams will get their doors tore down by the winning teams. 

Students, staff have traveled around the world

Clay takes on Carmel and Creekside for Pennies for Patients charity basketball game

Clay played against Creekside and Carmel Middle Schools for the annual charity game. This year, Clay hosted the event.

Charity basketball game tonight, money goes toward Leukemia and Lymphoma Society

Story by Cade Conlon

Pennies for Patients is an annual fundraiser that the students and staff of Clay Middle School participate in. The funds raised go to the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society.

The Clay Trojans have been participating with this fundraiser for the past 10 years with the annual goal of $10,000. 

This year, one of the major events for Pennies for Patients fundraiser will be the annual Charity Basketball game.

Clay staff will play against Carmel Middle School staff, Creekside Middle School staff, the Carmel Fire Department and police department.

At the game, the Clay pep band will be there, as well as the Carmel High school radio station, and during halftime there will also be a three-point contest. 

Some of the Clay staff will be taking part in the game. 

Mr. Dan Patane, seventh grade social studies teacher, said one of his favorite parts about the game is “seeing the kids respond in the crowd and how much money we can raise.”

The games start at 6 p.m. at Clay Middle School and costs $5 for entry.

First Semester in Review: 2014

Nominated staff take plunge in Ice Bucket Challenge

Students, staff participate in annual Clay Challenge

Photos by Emily Witucki, Emily Barthuly, Mitch Mercer, Thomas Dziwlik, Heidi Peng and Patrick Storm

Clay celebrates end of the year with all-school assembly

On Friday, May 23, the entire school went out to the football field to celebrate a year of finding greatness. Various clubs and sports teams were honored, while each grade level competed in games. Photos and video by Keita Arakawa, Zoe Mulpagano, Avery Sims and Sharlie Price