CENTRAL HIGH RECOGNIZES ACADEMIC WINNERS

Rah! Rah! Go, team, go!

Pep rallies for school athletes have been around as long as organized sports. But students excelling in academics are taking their rightful place at scholastic pep rallies.

Cape Girardeau Central High School held its second Academic Pep Rally this week. The Renaissance Club -- which works to raise both academic performance and school spirit -- recognized 332 students. These included scholar athletes, scholar musicians, performing-arts scholars and a number of students who had no absences or tardies the first semester. This was an impressive parade of academic clubs opened the program, which was attended by faculty, students, parents and corporate sponsors.

With the rally, the school district sent an important message: Superior grades and good attendance matters. It's a lesson worth cheering.