The younger students at Aspen Crossing Elementary weren’t sure what was going to happen when they lined up along the school hallways on Sept. 19. They were curious, but a little reserved. The older students, on the other hand, were brimming with excitement. Most of them knew what was coming.
First, members of the Eaglecrest High School Marching Band burst through the school’s front doors. Some of the youngsters covered their ears as the band belted out “Hey Baby” and the EHS Fight Song. Next came a giant bird known as Rowdy the Raptor, along with cheerleaders waving their pompons, athletes wearing their team jerseys, and dozens of high-energy high school students wearing red, white, and black and chanting “EHS, EHS, EHS!” As the group of some 250 Eaglecrest students made two laps through the school, the Aspen Crossing students joined in the cheers and stuck their hands out for high fives from the visiting Raptors.
It’s all part of the annual Eaglecrest High School Spirit Bus tour, a time-honored homecoming tradition.
“It’s basically to give everyone a taste of what being a Raptor is,” said EHS senior and Student Body Vice-president Jalen Doherty. “Giving them the Eaglecrest experience so they know what they’re coming into when they get to high school.”
The EHS Spirit Bus, which is actually a caravan of five buses, was on the road all day long, making stops at the five elementary schools and two middle schools that feed into Eaglecrest. The goal is to give younger students a glimpse of the fun they can look forward to in high school and get them excited about becoming Eaglecrest Raptors.
“It’s just a great thing to get out and see the future Raptors who are going to end up in our building,” said senior and Student Body President Alex Denmark.
Students at Thunder Ridge Middle School cheered as the Raptors paraded through the sixth- and seventh-grade hallways, then held a pep rally in the gym for eighth graders, who will head to Eaglcrest next year. Eighth-graders Zack Anthony and Anyah Giles said the high school students did a good job of creating excitement.
“It was very cool, a lot of spirit obviously,” Giles said. She’s looking forward to getting involved in clubs and activities at Eaglecrest. The same goes for Anthony.
“I’m looking forward to getting involved with Student Council,” he said. “I think that would be fun.”
New this year, the Spirit Bus made a stop at the Peakview Assisted Living and Memory Care Center. Residents gathered on the back patio and waved as the five school buses pulled up and energetic teenagers climbed out. The band and dance team performed, and the students led the residents in EHS cheers and chants.
“This was fantastic! It made me cry at first,” said Peakview resident Linda Mickelson. “I’m so impressed with the youngsters! They were so fun.”
Alex Denmark said visiting with older members of the community was very meaningful for the students.
“Showing them that we care and being able to spread some joy and bring them some youth and spirit, I think just makes their day and makes our day and makes our hearts a little fuller,” Denmark said.
“It’s so nice to have them here every now and then,” Mickelson added. “It really makes a difference in our lives.”
Posted 9/20/2023.
