Features Editor

Aug. 14, 2000 10 PM

The Annual Pike County Back to School Pep Rally is being billed as the largest pep rally Pike County has ever seen and no one will want to miss the excitement.

All four of the county’s high schools will be showcased from 5 until 6 p.m. Thursday on the square in downtown Troy.

Charles Henderson High School

and Pike Liberal Arts School in Troy, Pike County High School in Brundidge and Goshen High School will bring their football teams, cheerleaders and bands to the "rally."

This is a great opportunity for fans to come out and meet the players who will provide them with so many great moments on the gridiron and the cheerleaders who will lead "volumes" of support for them.

Each cheerleading squad will perform several of the routines that earned them awards at summer cheerleading camp. The band will strike up tunes that are sure to get any football fan in the spirit of the season.

Marsha Gaylard, president of the Pike County Chamber of Commerce, said everyone is encouraged to come out and support their school as excitement builds toward to opening of the football season which kicks off with Aug. 25 with Pike Liberal Arts at home against Fort Dale Academy and the jamboree game between county rivals Pike County and Charles Henderson at Bulldog Stadium in Brundidge.

The school with the most participants at the Back to School Pep Rally will win a $200 cash prize for their Student Government Association.

Following the Pep Rally, county youths are invited to attend a high impact worship service at 7 p.m. at Bush Memorial Baptist Church.

Nathan Carroll, youth minister, said the service was planned so that young people will be excited about opportunities they have to witness in the school setting.

"We witness in many different ways," Carroll said. "We want students to realize that their everyday actions are a witness for Christ. The service will be one of praise and worship followed by a time of fellowship where students from the different schools can get to meet and know each other."

Thursday will be an exciting time for Pike County students and their fans with both events offering opportunities for getting the school year and the football season off to a positive start," Carroll said.