Littlest Commodores Send Big Cheers to the Rebels
Lafayette teachers and students send Fiesta Bowl message to the Rebels
OXFORD, Miss. – Starting their school day cheering for the Ole Miss Rebels is exactly what students at Lafayette Elementary School did on a foggy Tuesday morning.
With cameras rolling, early 800 pre-kindergarteners through second graders wished the Rebels good luck in the upcoming Fiesta Bowl against Miami.
Students at Lafayette Elementary School in Oxford wave Ole Miss flags and pompoms as part of a message for the Ole Miss Rebels football team. Photo by Hunt Mercier/Ole Miss Digital Imaging Services
Glenn Kitchens, LES principal, kicked off the Commodores' cheers with "Hey 'Dores! It's Fiesta Bowl time for the Rebels!"
Responding for several minutes, the youngest Commodores in the Lafayette County School District chanted, "Let's go, Rebs! Let's go, Rebs!"
With the help of teachers and assistants, students waved Ole Miss flags, pompoms and signs while they cheered.
The opportunity to share the littlest 'Dores' spirit with the Ole Miss football team was orchestrated by teacher Lindsay Dickerson, whose husband, Jimmy, works with the team. He will make sure the team sees the elementary school's message.
"We wanted to show the Ole Miss football players how much Lafayette Elementary School loves and supports them," Dickerson said.
Lafayette Elementary School students cheer during a taped message of support for the Ole Miss Rebels, who play Miami on Thursday (Jan. 8) in the Fiesta Bowl as part of the College Football Playoff semifinals. Photo by Hunt Mercier/Ole Miss Digital Imaging Services
The sight exceeded her expectations.
"To see 800 little Commodores cheering 'Let's go, Rebs' was awe-inspiring," she said. "I hope it also inspires the team to win and move on to play for a national championship!"
The entire school district will wear their Rebel colors and gear Thursday (Jan. 8) to support the Rebels' playoff run.
"It is not often these opportunities come along," Kitchens said. "It will be fun for our kids and hopefully inspiring for the Rebs."
Top: Glenn Kitchens, principal at Lafayette Elementary School in Oxford, leads nearly 800 pre-kindergarteners through second graders, in a cheer of 'Let's go, Rebs!' The school system joined in a show of support for the Rebels, who play Miami on Thursday (Jan. 8) in the Fiesta Bowl as part of the College Football Playoff semifinals. Photo by Hunt Mercier/Ole Miss Digital Imaging Services