On Friday, February 14th, Doherty High School hosted its first annual Color Wars Pep Rally, an action-packed event that brought the entire student body together for a fun-filled competition of spirit and athleticism just before winter vacation. Students from all grade levels participated in a variety of exciting events, showing their school pride and creating unforgettable moments of fun.
The competition was intense, as each grade was assigned a color to represent. The seniors sported blue, the juniors rocked red, the sophomores wore green, and the freshmen stood out in black and white. This colorful display energized the gym and set the stage for an afternoon full of excitement.
The event was organized by the dedicated Ms. Falcucci and the yearbook team, which included Ethan Duong, Holly Goudge, Jennifer O’Conner, Sayuri Singleton, and Jessica Swenson. Special recognition also goes to sophomore Jenny Manxhari, who served as a guest helper during the event. Their hard work ensured that everything ran smoothly and made the rally a massive success, offering something for everyone. From thrilling games like human ring toss and mattress racing to the crowd-favorite pie-in-the-face contest, the day was filled with high-energy fun. Students lined up to pie their teachers, with Doherty’s very own staff—including Highlander’s Herald’s Ms. Gagne, Mr. O’Neil, ETA’s Mr. Pineo, Mr. Herrero, Mr. Naço, and Mr. Bowler (who was pied by none other than his own son)—bravely taking part in the messy fun.

Other memorable events included balloon popping, noodle hockey, knockout, and the ever-popular tug-of-war. The energy in the gym was infectious, with classmates cheering on their peers in every event. The cheerleading team also gave an impressive performance, adding to the school spirit and excitement that filled the air.

Throughout the day, the yearbook team kept a careful tally of the points earned by each grade. At the end of the rally, the grade with the most points earned bragging rights for the year and, more importantly, a permanent spot in Doherty’s history. As Mr. Buccaglia explained, the winning class’s year would be displayed on a banner in the school forever, alongside a trophy resembling the prestigious Stanley Cup.
After an intense competition, the senior class of 2025 emerged victorious, securing 16 points to claim the coveted title. The juniors closely followed with 15 points, the sophomores earned 9 points, and the freshmen finished with 5 points. The seniors’ hard work, school spirit, and determination were on full display, and their victory will be celebrated for years to come.
The Color Wars Pep Rally truly showcased the support and camaraderie between all grade levels at Doherty. It was a fantastic way to kick off winter break and bring the school together in a fun and memorable way.
As we look ahead to next year’s event, we at The Highlander’s Herald hope you had a relaxing winter vacation. Stay tuned for more stories, including one on DTV’s coverage of the event and its return—coming soon!
Until next time, let’s keep up the great work, Highlanders!
