LENOX, Mass. — Morris Elementary students got hyped up before the start of their Massachusetts Comprehensive Assessment System (MCAS) during a pep rally hosted by staff. 

On Thursday, March 28, students in Pre-K through Grade 2 were called to the gymnasium to await their older peers as part of the pep rally.

Students in Grades 3-5 were called down next. Each classroom pre-selected a walk-in song for their entrance. Songs included "The Eye of the Tiger" by Survivor, "High Hopes" by Panic! At the Disco, "Roar" by Katy Perry, "Thunderstruck" by AC/DC, and more. Upon their entry, each student was given a pair of sunglasses to wear and take home.

Younger students cheered them on as they entered, presenting "Good Luck Tiger!" signs to their buddies to wish them luck on their testing before heading back to class for the remainder of the afternoon.

To kick off the festivities, students participated in a hula hoop contest and played musical chairs. The winners of each competition won a book machine token to be used at the school's vending machine, which only dispenses books.

Students then played and laughed along as Principal Brenda Kelley participated in the "Nasty Nachos Game."

Six multiple-choice trivia questions surrounding MCAS testing were displayed on the big screen for students to answer. Questions covered what to do the night before testing, what to do when answering a multiple-choice question, what to do if you don't understand a question, how to answer text questions about story characters, and more. 

For each question answered correctly, Principal Kelley had to eat a new "nasty" ingredient laid on the table. 

Kelley ate items including dirt from the playground (crushed Oreos), old Morris mustard (butterscotch syrup), mothballs from the supply closet (marshmallows), "Teddy's Treats" (mint chocolate balls), and rocks from the front garden (frosting balls). 

To end the event, Morris staff surprised students with a "glow dance party," where they were given glow sticks and danced.

"We hold this pep rally each year for our Morris students," said Principal Kelley. "They work hard each day learning the curriculum. It is nice to honor their hard work and build excitement for the upcoming test."