A beginner’s guide to Rider/Old High week

The time is soon upon us. Everyone’s favorite week: Rider/Old High. 

Decorating the hallways will begin Thursday after school and continue through the weekend. 

This year will be more exciting than last year. The Happening is actually happening. A real roundup assembly and pep rally will take place instead of virtual ones. 

There’s also going to be a couple surprise twists and added features to activities later in the week that will ramp up the excitement. 

Here’s a quick rundown of next week along with a guide to the best week of the school year. 

The Rider/ Old High Agenda

MONDAY 

• Dress Up Theme: OUT HOLIDAY-CHEER the Coyotes

TUESDAY

• Dress Up Theme: OUT-CLASS Old High! 

WEDNESDAY

• Dress Up Theme: We will ROCK the Coyotes 
• Sub-varsity football (5 p.m. for freshmen, 6:30 p.m. for JV) 

THURSDAY

• Dress Up Theme: Western
• Round Up Assembly (8:57 a.m. in main gym) 
• The Happening (at night) 

FRIDAY

• Dress Up Theme: Black & Gold
• Mum Day
• Rider/Old High Pep Rally (2:30 p.m. in main gym) 
• THE GAME (7 p.m. kickoff, get there early) 

SATURDAY

• Round Up Dance (7-10 p.m. in main gym) 

Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday are like any other school day, aside from dress-up themes. Monday you can dress up in any holiday outfit you’d like. Maybe break out the Christmas sweater early or reuse that Halloween outfit one last time. 

On Tuesday, it’s fancy or classy dress. You know that prom dress you’ve only worn once? Bring it back (just make sure it’s in dress code). Or dust off that suit in your closet that you only wear to weddings. 

On Wednesday, it’s time to rock and roll with your attire. Slip on some Doc Martens. You’ll already wear jeans with holes, but borrow that 1990s concert t-shirt from your dad’s closet. 

Now freshmen, I know you may think you’ll get made fun of. Juniors, you think it’s lame to dress up, but get over it. We’ve already been killing dress-up days this year, let’s keep it going. 

Thursday is where the excitement really begins. First off, everyone better be gussied up in their best western outfits. We want boots and cowboy hats. We start the day off early with the Round-Up assembly at 8:57 a.m. 

Each grade is competing for best skit, along with a separate senior skit. Honorary Mr. and Miss Raider will be announced, the Round-Up Band will make their debut and Mr. and Miss Raider nominees will perform in front of the school. The entire school then votes for their favorite nominees. 

The school day may end at 3:05 p.m., but our festivities will be well from over. Thursday night brings the return of the Happening. Organizations from all over campus decorate floats and participate in a parade. Be careful of the candy bullets, even the academic floats can throw pretty hard. 

We then cram into the big gym and, as best worded by our own Mandy Huynh, participate in a “cult seance,” where we listen to the inspiring words of a Rider alumni with lights on, seen only by the glow of burning candles (and phone lights).

 Finally, it’s game day. Friday starts off with class breakfasts, which you can get more information from your respective class officers, followed with a favorite Rider tradition: Mum Day. 

For those unaware, our senior class president Sandra Le makes an announcement signifying the beginning of Mum Day. We, as a school, are then silent all throughout the school day, until the victory bell is rung at Friday’s pep rally. We do this to save our screams so once we do, they hear shouting all the way across town. Don’t be the loser that thinks they are too cool and talks in class — you aren’t.

Then, it’s time! The football game starts at 7 p.m., but get there early if you actually want a good seat. Bundle up, it gets pretty cold. This is the only game where it is completely unacceptable to leave early, even though we already know Rider’s going to win.

Go home and get some sleep after a Raider win, the festivities don’t stop then. The Round-Up dance is Saturday from 7-10 p.m. Put on your favorite cowboy boots and hit the dance (aka gym) floor. Tickets are $10 at the door, and you don’t want to miss the announcement of Mr. and Miss Raider. 

I know this seems like a lot, but the week flies by. Savor the memories made and traditions honored. Remember most importantly: POOR COYOTES!