Fade(r) Up…..The Sound of Success 

By Jeff Kramer

It was quite a spirited day in Five Towns College’s Sound Arena on October 12th as a beloved tradition returned to campus for the first time in two years: PEP RALLY! The event hyped up the student body, faculty, and staff during Common Hour. FTC President Dr. David Cohen welcomed the crowd, and student leaders delivered opening remarks. 

Athletes from the Men and Women’s Soccer teams, Men and Women’s Basketball teams, and the Esports squad were introduced to a cheering crowd. Students also competed in three-point shooting contests.

Mass Comm Adjunct Professor and FTC Sound Stream Co-Manager Andre Doughty co-hosted the event with Junior Theatre major Lily Boisvert. Doughty spoke about hosting his first pep rally at the college. “I feel like hosting is kind of a job in analyzing the room. You always go in with nerves, but you start to get into the run of things. So, I wasn’t necessarily nervous outright, just pre-show jitters.”  

One of the many remarkable aspects that enlivened the crowd was the newly formed FTC Dance Team, the FTC Soundwaves. Freshman team member Zara Martinez-Zolotor discussed performing in her first semester at the pep rally. “I absolutely loved performing at the pep rally. Everyone’s energy was so so hyped. I would do this all over again, all the time.” 

The pep rally also featured musical performances by 2022 and 2023 Freshman Showcase winners Joseph Valentin and Ella Beiser, respectively. Valentin waited a year for this performance. “It’s the first big performance for me of the year. So, it’s a little nerve-wracking because of the amount of time I’ve had to wait for this moment to happen, but I’m glad I had to wait. I’m nervous, like I said, but I’m really excited ultimately as well.” 

Like many other campus events, there is a substantial behind-the-scenes production facet to the pep rally. Mass Comm Senior James Miller was the co-coordinator for the live pep rally broadcast and described the production value of the event.  

“What makes this event different is that you have a lot of elements at play here. With a pep rally, you’re digging into the human element. There’s a lot of movement, students everywhere cheering, going crazy, food, basketballs flying everywhere, creating a more chaotic but enjoyable environment.” 

The 2023 Five Towns College Pep Rally celebrated the school’s athletic, musical, and performance talent. Professor Doughty summed up the afternoon, “What’s also unique about this school specifically is that there is a huge musical aspect. We are the Sound, and so having the performers, having the dance team, I think these are all good features to add to an event like this.”

WATCH: Video by Tyler Guerrero, Tyler McCready & FTC Mass Comm Production Team.

Follow the @ftc_events on Instagram to stay tuned for upcoming events on campus.