The voices of Randall High students are thundering, the buzz in the air of the gym lively and ecstatic. Loud, booming music starts and the voices become quiet. He steps forward and begins speaking to the student body, officially starting the year’s first pep rally.

Junior Jackson Crain is the new pep rally host for the 2016-2017 school year. Crain tried out for host last semester in front of a panel of judges including teachers, and former past pep rally host Jake Earls.

“The judges gave us a sheet that we read off of, and it was kind of like a mock pep rally,” Crain said. “Shaun Lakey and I decided to try out together. Shaun and I made an agreement that if one of us got pep rally host, then we would try to get the other to help with some of the bigger pep rallies.”

After performing the mock pep rally, Crain said he had to answer some interview questions from the panel of judges. Crain said on the day of the first pep rally, he was nervous to perform in front of the school.

“A bunch of the pep rally was improvisation because we had to make a lot of last minute changes,” Crain said. “I had to go with the flow. The first half of the pep rally I was so nervous my hands were shaking, but by the second half I had come out of my shell and I wasn’t as nervous.”

Along with being pep rally host, Crain plays tennis, is the student body treasurer and is in National Honor Society. Crain’s hobbies include watching and playing sports, Full House and the Office.

Crain said he likes being pep rally host because he likes to be with all of his friends on the gym floor.

“Before each pep rally, I like to listen to music to get pumped,” Crain said. “I really enjoy getting to perform in front of the whole school.”

Crain said he is looking forward to helping the school become more spirited and excited for the upcoming year.

“I am proud to be the pep rally host, especially at a school like Randall where we are good at pretty much anything,” Crain said. “I am proud to be a Randall Raider.”