Hotty Toddy Tailgate: Oxford School Turns Hallways Into Mini Grove

Laurie Beth Ellis, a third-grade Insights teacher and University of Mississippi alumna, brought the Fiesta Bowl to the classroom. Working with a small team of second- and third-grade teachers, she decked the hallway in Hotty Toddy.

"Everyone wants to be a part of the action," Ellis said. "Some students told me they've never been to the Grove. This gives them the ability to gain an understanding of tradition and gives them a memory tied to this exciting event.

"Not everyone can say they have tailgated in their school's hallway."

The jubilation was easy to see on the boys' and girls' faces as each received a champion's welcome. The children arrived to the Grove-inspired tailgate, complete with much fanfare and pompoms, teachers' cheers, snacks and treats. Some students even showed off their go-to touchdown dances while others bested one another with player stats they've followed all season.

This week, students also designed custom Ole Miss buttons for Thursday's showdown against Miami.

"I wrote 'Game Day' and drew a football because it just felt right," said Billy Benson, a student in second grade.

Others drew cheerleaders, crafted creative designs or simply wrote a message to their favorite players.

"I made Trinidad Chambliss holding a national championship trophy because I really want Ole Miss to win the national championship, and he would get MVP," said second-grader Theodore Cutcliffe.

Cutcliffe's family breathes football. His grandfather, David Cutcliffe, coached the Rebels from 1999 to 2004. His dad, Chris Cutcliffe, is the head coach of the Oxford High School Chargers.

It's that deep-seeded tradition that's helped him also voice what Hotty Toddy means in his own words.

"It means Go, Rebs! It can mean 'hello' and it can mean a bunch of things," he said.

The consensus among students was that this timeless phrase represents fun experiences and family, no matter how the season looks.

"(Hotty Toddy) means either snuggling up on the couch with my family or I just go to the game with my family," third grader Finley Werfel said.

Helping students articulate their Hotty Toddy definition was Ellis's goal, using the historic opportunity to "teach through tailgate."

In her class for gifted students, each group also had conversation cards with questions as they worked on building foundational communication skills. But the lessons shared during this tailgate are more than what's found in a textbook, Ellis said.

"Whether they cheer for Ole Miss or not, teaching our students about Ole Miss' pride, tradition and community helps them feel a sense of belonging and connection," she said.

"They learn about respect, teamwork and school pride while beginning to see themselves as part of a larger community. It allows them to see and be proud of their community, and learn an appreciation for higher education."

The daylong fun wasn't limited to Ellis' corner of the building. The tailgate hallways led to the recess area, and all students got to enjoy the experience and snacks, thanks to support from teachers and donations from families, including real Ole Miss tents.

The collaboration to snip, hang, cut, draw and prepare the Thursday tailgate represents Hotty Toddy in action, Ellis said. Deep down, it all roots back to a warm feeling of connection for her.

"It's a feeling and a collection of memories that have followed me through every season of my life," she said. "It reminds me of where I come from and the people who played a role in the person I've become."

Top: Students at Della Davidson Elementary School make their way through a Grove-inspired 'Walk of Champions' on Thursday (Jan. 8) as teachers and staff cheer them on during a mock tailgate celebrating Hotty Toddy spirit and the Rebels’ College Football Playoff run to the Fiesta Bowl later that evening. Photo by Srijita Chattopadhyay/Ole Miss Digital Imaging Services