![Adding a tray of canned corn to the pile, junior Michael Collop assists in transporting donations for the Holiday Food Drive. The event, hosted schoolwide from Dec. 10-17, raised over 5,000 food items to deliver to the Parkway Food Pantry, helping several families in need. [The drive] is a great thing for us to do because you're giving to those who are less fortunate, and it helps provide for people who can't provide for themselves. [The] competition is always fun, too. It was fun to be in [social studies teacher Jess] Chazen’s class, because he always gets worked up over [the competition]. He made it exciting, and was always convincing us to turn in cans for the drive,” Collop said.](https://bestofsno.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/feature-photo-unsung-2.png)
![NEW CHALLENGE, NEW TEAM MEMBERS: Every season, VEX creates a new game that robotics team members are faced with and have to build a robot to compete in. This year’s game forces students to create a robot that is able to stack rings onto mobile goals in order to score points. The change in games each season is something that robotics teacher Audrea Moyers appreciates.
“One of the things that I like about VEX is that they have a new problem to solve every year,” she said. ¨Even though the equipment’s the same, they have to analyze the game, and they have to come up with solutions that are unique that year. They are using their knowledge from prior years, but they have to kind of redesign a problem.”
As returning teams were faced a new game, some new teams and members had to adapt to a uncommon playing field and game.
“Three of our four teams were competing for the first time this year, and they had very different experiences match to match, so I think they learned a lot,¨ she said. ¨It’s hard just watching a video online to know how it’s actually going to be in person, so they all learned a lot about what gameplay is like, how to work with an alliance partner [and] how to adapt during the day to changes.”](https://bestofsno.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/IMG_9283-1-1200x800.jpg)
Due to the Prosper Mighty Eagle Band performing at the Bands of America Grand National Championship in Indianapolis, Indiana, this week, the football team faces silence on their side of the field at playoffs as its opponent’s band, the Coppell Marching Band, plays for their team. Despite cross-town rivalries, the Rock Hill Pep Band decided to support Prosper by playing stand tunes during the game.
The Prosper Eagles will play against the Coppell Cowboys on tonight at Coppell ISD Stadium. At Prosper’s last game, they won against Plano West with an end score of 51-10. While Prosper is on a winning streak with a record of 8-2, Coppell is undefeated with a record of 10-0.
Rock Hill band director Nathaniel Neugent said the idea seemed unusual at first, especially since Rock Hill played their playoff game last night.
“It was a clear opportunity to pay it forward by supporting the team and simultaneously helping out the PHS band,” Neugent said. “I knew it would be a difficult ask of our students coming off playing for our team the night before, so I was surprised when I asked for volunteers and more than half the band wanted to do it. Our student leadership team really stepped up and understood the bigger picture.”
Rock Hill Marching Band drum major senior Maxwell Lee said the band took this opportunity because “it’s the right thing to do,” and members want to support all our fellow bands and schools in Prosper ISD.
“Even with our friendly competition that all three schools have, we still want to make a clear message that all of Prosper ISD is still one,” Lee said. “Also, we understand the importance of Grand Nationals as a competition for the PHS band, so we want to support their trip and we wish them the best of luck.”
A Rock Hill band has never played for a Prosper team.
“Originally, there was a slight awkwardness and weird feeling thinking about how the band would be going to and playing at a school not our own,” Lee said. “But, after discussing it with our directors and students, I felt way more comfortable and honestly excited to have another opportunity to perform in the stands. I know some people that aren’t as comfortable doing a gig like this, if that’s pre-made plans for the weekend or holding their school pride, but I can’t wait to go and be there, regardless of if it’s a PHS or RHHS game.”
Prosper quarterback junior Braeden Imhoff said not having a band supporting the team affects the players.
“It makes a world of difference,” Imhoff said.
Ever since Rock Hill entered the 6A division, Prosper and Rock Hill have been in a cross-town rivalry.
“I know for many, the relationship between both PHS and RHHS is a touchy subject, where the friendly competition can become extreme at some points and people take their school pride very seriously,” Lee said. “However, I think that this opportunity can show that both PHS and RHHS stick together and should support each other, even with the competition we have, and Rock Hill is happy to help a neighboring school. I think our bond with PHS is strong and friendly enough that we can continue to do these things together in the future, setting aside our school competition.”
Despite the presence of district rivalries, the district’s schools still find a way to help each other.
“This is what Prosper ISD is all about,” Prosper principal Nicholas Jones said. “All the schools support each other in doing the best we can for all students at each campus.”
Neugent said a surprising amount of band members wanted to support Prosper.
“We constantly hear, ‘We are Prosper, we are one,’ but it’s just a saying if you don’t actually back it up with action,” Neugent said. “Here was a chance to do just that. I’m really proud of our students for answering the call.”
If Prosper wins this game, the team will play against the winner of the playoff game between Lake Highlands and South Grand Prairie high schools Nov. 22.
“I think its a great reminder that we are Prosper and we are one,” Prosper Talonette and band drum major junior Katie Lynn Sepper said. “It means a lot that the Rock Hill band is stepping in to help our team after their playoff game. I think its amazing that their band is willing to take one of their free nights away to help us hopefully go further in playoffs.”
This story was originally published on Eagle Nation Online on November 15, 2024.