On Oct. 18, 2024, Foothill Technology High School (Foothill Tech) held its first Renaissance Rally (Ren Rally) of the 2024-2025 school year, themed based on Vincent Price’s “Thriller.” The Associative Student Body (ASB) created a spirit week leading up to the rally, and set up games and sweet treats to celebrate Foothill Tech Dragon’s academic achievements.
Though not directly related to the Ren Rally’s theme, spirit week themes included wearing Foothill Tech colors, a favorite team jersey or merchandise, a favorite band T-shirt and to end the week, Ren Rally shirts given out from any previous years of attendance.
On Oct. 16, 2024, “Unity Day” was included in the spirit week, asking students to wear orange to unify all students together. Activities in the quad as well as the Wellness Center included making a unity chain, where students could respond to prompts on pieces of paper that would be folded into a chain to put up around the school.
Before the Ren Rally, students who qualified for Renaissance were given a punch card ticket, allowing them to treat themselves to a “Shirley Temple,” “dirt and worms” and prizes such as cookies and sweets from spinning a wheel on top of the stage.
The event was a reward for students’ hard work and dedication to their academics. Eva Goncalves ‘25 commented, “I hope [the Renaissance Rally] makes [students] feel more connected to their peers … it’s definitely a good break from the rigorous academics that we have here at Foothill [Tech].”
As soon as fourth period ended, students rushed into the quad greeted by an abundance of activities. Ghosts, skeletons and spiderwebs were hung in the trees and under umbrellas, creating an eerie atmosphere for the event. Red streamers and black, red and white balloons were also swaying around the quad.
In the front of the quad, and on the stage, students could put their punch card to use by standing in line to pick up their sweet treats, refreshments and prizes. Abby Schlegel ‘25 stated, “I really liked the Shirley Temples and the pumpkin painting because not only were they … super popular but … they were both different activities than what we usually have.”
Many games were placed around the back of the quad, offering students some fun and entertainment while they mingled with their peers. Students had the opportunity to participate in activities such as air hockey, video games, pumpkin painting and even an inflatable obstacle course.
Despite the spooky “Thriller” theme that dominated the quad of Foothill Tech, students were not too scared to assemble and celebrate with each other. Schlegel commented, “It is nice to have Ren Rally’s … because it is another opportunity for our Foothill [Tech] school community to come together and participate in something fun or different than the usual daily school life.”
As the Ren Rally came to a close, students left their painted pumpkins and decorated tables, feeling spirited and ready to take on the events ahead of them.
