Last Wednesday 1,200 students gathered in the Ronan Event Center for the first all-school pep assembly in years. Students K-12 were treated to quite the event, thanks to planning by Athletic Director Courtney Fisher, Student Council, Student Council Advisor and teacher Bonnie Eva, and many others. Students from Ronan High School, Ronan Middle School, K. William Harvey Elementary School, and Pablo Elementary School all gathered to support fellow students. 

The event started with the Ronan pep band playing a few songs, including the school song. With the help of the cheerleaders, the whole gym was rocking with school spirit. Student Council President Ashley Peterson and Student Council representative Ryan Dresen directed the assembly, which included shout-outs to clubs such as National Honor Society, FFA, and BPA. Members of the clubs participated in a competition that involved passing an apple without using hands, which thrilled the elementary school students. The young kids weren’t left out of the fun – they also participated in a game.

Steve Woll may have had the best part of the show. The boys’ basketball coach and teacher came out in a cape, followed by his son, who played out a Star Wars scene. Just when Woll though he had won, Monte the bear made an entrance, much to the surprise of almost everyone in attendance. Monte whisked away Woll’s son, then treated the crowd to his acrobatic skills.

The entire Chiefs’ basketball team dressed up as superheroes, including the assistant coaches, who came out as Sumo wrestlers. The girls’ basketball team and the wrestling team was also honored at the event before the high school kids got in some more obstacle course fun to end the day. The Speech and Debate team also made an entrance with their second place state trophy.

Athletic Director Courtney Fisher said she wanted to bring all of the schools together and thought a pep assembly was a good idea. “We just really want to bring the camaraderie back,” she said. Student Council Advisor and Math teacher Bonnie Eva said the student council had a lot to do with organizing the event and coming up with games. Student Council members that helped included Savanah Duell, Penni Weyant, Erin McCrea, Kara Holmlund, Ashley Peterson, Drew Davis, Corbin Davis, Austin Taylor, Sammy Metzger, Ryan Dresen, Jenaya Burns, Makayla Camel, Jarrett Richey, Katie Workman, and Morgan Brooks.

The event has part of Ronan’s Orange Crush Week, which according to Eva, is like a homecoming celebration in the fall.

One section seemed to be a little more orange than the others. Those kids were from the Pablo Elementary school. “We’re really glad they could come down this year,” Eva said. Their orange Ronan shirts were purchased with money from the Ronan Booster Club.

After it was all said and done, the kids walked, or rode, back to their individual schools, and Monte went back to his den in Missoula.