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On Friday, our own Danny Fulgencio was at Justin Kimball High School for what he reports was: Best. Pep. Rally. Ever. The reason: The Knights received a surprise visit from actor-activist-and-oh-right-rapper Common, Freedman-fave Dorrough and MTVeejay Sway as part of the nationwide Get Schooled Challenge intended to keep kids in school while getting their folks more involved. Said Common, the son of a teacher, “It’s time for you to step up to a higher level.”
Reports Danny, whose photos follow in advance of a more complete slide show, more than 800 students filled the Kimball auditorium Friday afternoon; they had no idea why (or who) beforehand. Inspirational speeches, improv dancing and one “Ice Cream Paint Job” later, it was, reports Danny, “far cooler than any pep rally I ever attended.” Danny’s notes:
- DJ ASAP warms up the crowd as students file into the auditorium. It’s very loud hip-hop you couldn’t help but bob your head to.
- Sway MCs the event, encouraging students to stay in school.
- Common steps on the stage after some build-up. The crowd goes nuts.
- Common kicks a killer freestyle session about Dallas and Oak Cliff. The crowd goes nuts.
- Dorrough steps on stage after some build-up. The crowd goes nuts.
- Common, Dorrough and Sway field questions on education from students.
- Common raps for the students, they go nuts. Common invites students to come dance on stage.
- Dorrough raps for the students — you guessed it, they go nuts.
