Renaissance Club held its second rally to recognize students and faculty Friday, Jan. 16 in the high school auditorium.
The assembly consisted of competitions between staff and students, presentation of the “Tireless Teacher” award, and recognition of various clubs, extracurricular activities and students’ academic successes.
Renaissance Club adviser Assistant Principal Kristen Kearns said club members made several changes after the first rally to improve the experience.
“At the end of the last rally I had asked for student feedback, and the students really chimed in,” she said.
Changes at the assembly included incorporation of student artwork, new games and celebration of additional groups, Kearns added.
Students and faculty competed in three games during the rally. Students prevailed in guessing teachers based on their high school pictures but lost to faculty in solving emoji puzzles and “dropping the beat” on time to Whitney Houston’s “I Will Always Love You.”
The rally’s student recognition awards focused on responsibility, Kearns said.
“One of the giveaways also focuses on students who had no missing work for the entire first semester, which is a huge accomplishment,” she said.
Two hundred and thirty-three students were eligible for that drawing, she added.
Students voted on the recipient of the Tireless Teacher award, which math teacher Jason Willcoxon received.
Willcoxon said the award was a nice surprise. He added he thinks there are many teachers deserving of it.
“I’m just happy to be a part of an amazing team and school full of individuals that give their best for students each and every day,” Willcoxon said.
Junior Augie Brown said he thought the assembly was well-planned.
“They did a great job recognizing a range of students and tried to make everyone feel recognized in at least one aspect,” he said.
Brown said he was glad to get out of class but also values the experience the rally provided.
“Everyone has a new common experience, and the Renaissance Rally recognizing achievements gives everyone the chance to see what other community members are doing,” Brown added.
The addition of student art, games involving the crowd and the wide range of recognition made the assembly feel more engaging, Brown said.
Still, members are looking forward to building on the momentum and continuing to celebrate the high school, Kearns said.
The assembly accomplished more of the club’s goals than the first one in the fall, she said.
“The whole purpose of Renaissance is to make sure that students, staff and faculty alike know that they are seen, heard, loved and recognized for all the things they do,” Kearns said.
Published and digitized February 2026.
