Dallas Post Dallas, PA November 7, 2002 | ® | | munity foo Album ; Old Shoe tradition takes many forms at Dallas By Meredith Lacey ® 4 Dallas High School Junior The action on the field is only part of the fun at the annual Old Shoe football game between Dallas and Lake-Lehman. The festivities begin in the parking lot and continue on the sidelines and in the stands, as fans of both schools come prepared for the 55-year-old rivalry. For many Dallas High School students, the rivalry with Lake-Lehman is one of the biggest events. This over- whelming feeling of school spirit shines its brightest dur- ing the week of the Old Shoe Game. Throughout the school one can feel enthusiasm bursting from almost everyone. This excitement is motivated by a number of student activities during the week. a On Wednesday night, before the big game on Saturday, ® L the annual bonfire took place in the parking lot of the high school. During the course of the day, students were making plans to attend the bonfire and have plenty of good food and fun. Yet, some were skeptical that not many supporters would show up because of the cold, snowy weather. Dallas pride was not be held back; de- spite the weather, many students, parents, and other fans attended the bonfire. With the fire ablaze, the band played, the cheerleaders danced and cheered and the cap- tains of the football team gave speeches to the psyched- up fans. At the end of the night, everyone went home with the anticipation of a great game on Saturday against our @ 4 arch rivals, the Lake-Lehman Black Knights. Ai As on any other Friday, the football players wore their jerseys and the cheerleaders wore their skirts, and the rest of the students wore their school spirit. But this Fri- 1 b Ad | day was a bit different; many of the cheerleaders were try- ing to keep their shoes. Because this was the Friday be- Karen Basar, Sandy Dobrowolski, Crystal Savage and Aprille Covert fore the Old Shoe Game, if any cheerleader talked to a Mike Kelly fired the opening cannon for the host Mountaineers. fought off the cold breeze on the Lehman side. football Player the cheerleader would lose her shoes for i the rest of the day. By EY e—— ri the end of the school, most, if not all, the cheerleaders were walk- ing around in their socks. Even though the football players took the cheerleaders’ shoes that day, each cheerleader surprised one of the players with a decorat- ed pillow case filled with all types of can- dies. No matter what the sport, what records the teams have, or which playing field Dallas and Lake-Lehman both come to win. Everyone at Dallas knows that if you only win one game of the season, make it against Lehman. With the Old Shoe at stake, not only were Dallas players getting psyched up, they were also ner- vous. Finally Saturday came. Diehard Dallas students had been tail- gating in the parking lot since 10:30 a.m. getting ready for the main event. Many fans filled both sides of the bleachers, hoping for their team to come out on top. Fortunately Dallas was the victor, and thrilled fans crowded the field for the presentation of the Old Shoe. K: Students were full of excitement because they again can see the Old Shoe every day in the trophy case, knowing that this year Dallas was the winner. At the end of the day, the feelings were bittersweet for students and parents alike. The Old Shoe Game was the last home game for the graduating seniors. except for this tiny bit of sadness, the game day was a huge success for the Dallas Mountaineers. ! Everyone is looking forward to next year’s festivities for | the football game against Lake-Lehman, and hopefully 9 # another year with the shoe. % Karen Arnaud cheered for her son, Kevin, a Dallas senior. ili Yes, that’s Linda Schuler in the middle, flanked by Desi Evans and Shari Casterline. Tom Landon, Brad Balutis and Conrad Higgins were on duty just in case. Dallas cheerleaders held up the traditional “Beat Lehman” banner. Post PHOTOS BY Jim PHILLIPS Cheering on the Black Knights were Tammy Ruger, Karen Mully and Pat Gem- berling. Beth, Katie and Dave Moran were bundled up against the day’s chill.
Significant historical Pennsylvania newspapers