Various middle school buses lined the loading parking lot outside the gymnasium on Friday, January 18. Hoards of eighth grade students poured out and entered the gym to fill the stands for the annual Magnet Day pep rally.

“Today is the day that the eighth graders come over and get their first impression of Richardson High School,” principal Charles Pickitt said. “The senior INTERACT members are their tour guides for the day, but most importantly they show the warm, family atmosphere of the school. They critical components to today.”

After various performances from the Desperadoes, cheerleaders and Eagle Guard, Mr. Bivins grabbed the microphone and announced for the future eagles to prepare for their magnet sessions.

“The pep rally is a really important feature for the magnet day,” Eaglette Sophie Kollaja said. “As we performed, I wanted to show the eighth graders how fun it is to be involved in an organization at the school and how important school spirit is to our student body.”

A network of Interact members took groups through the halls of RHS, showing them all the features the school has to offer and introducing them to the magnets. Magnet students then took time to give a presentation in each session to promote their magnet and hopefully attract the eighth graders to join for the next school year.

“It’s kind of mind blowing to think that we were once eighth graders doing the same thing these kids are doing, and now I’m helping guide them,” senior Selena Depaz said. “It’s nice to come full circle as a member of Interact.”

Eighth graders chose three magnets to visit. At each session they were allowed to ask questions about the school.

“I thought it was really nice to see all the programs show their stuff to us,” Parkill Junior High student Omar Itani said. “I really enjoyed the pep rally and all the magnet presentations here at RHS.”

Magnet Day from Talon Online on Vimeo.