With football season underway, the Pacers have continued their longstanding tradition of excellence with their 32 girl squad. Led by Captain McClain Morgan, First Lieutenant Nan Sheppard, and Second Lieutenant Piper McCalop, the Pacers spent 4 weeks in June learning their dances for pep rallies, football games, and everything in between.
Not only do these practices take up half the summer, but they are from 6 to 8 a.m. Monday through Thursday, showing how dedicated the Pacers are to perfecting their art.
To celebrate the end of summer and create team bonding, the Pacers went on their annual trip to Turquoise Place at Orange Beach (also known as “Pacer Beach”) at the end of July. Here, the girls grew closer as a team and strengthened their friendships with one another. Sophomore Maya Guice said, “I really enjoyed Pacer Beach. I got to know a bunch of people that I didn’t really speak to during normal practices. You get to have fun and spend time with people you don’t know that well.”
The first week of August, the Pacers began practicing twice a day to perfect their dances for the season, which was quickly approaching.
After long hours spent rehearsing, the Pacers were ready for the season. The squad kicked off their series of performances at Meet the Patriots on August 13. Wearing the iconic red top, navy skirt, long gloves, and white boots, the 2024-2025 Pacers were introduced to the Prep community.
Almost two weeks later, the first Pep Rally marked the official start of football season. Later that day, the Pacers had their highly anticipated first football game performance under the Friday night lights at Copiah Academy. Officer Nan Sheppard said, “It’s very bittersweet to have my last season, which I feel like is very cliché to say, but I’m soaking in the last minutes of being a senior and still enjoying football season and everything.”
A major change made to the Pacer schedule this year has been the MAIS Spirit Competition. The past few years, the Pacers did not participate. However, this year the team is entering with a dance inspired by the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders in the kick category, facing off against rival team the Jackson Academy Accents. The Pacers have been practicing every Thursday morning to specifically work on their competition routine. While the competition was originally scheduled for September 11, the date was changed to October 23 because of severe weather. With more time to prepare, the stakes will be higher for all teams competing.
Five games and Pep rallies in, the Pacers are setting the bar high for other dance teams throughout the MAIS. As ambassadors to the school, the squad is making Prep proud with their hard work and dedication to excellence.
