The annual AOSE Alma Mater contest is a popular event displaying school pride. Revolving around the Academy’s anthem, underclassmen create skits to perform in front of the school, closing with a class rendition of the Alma Mater. Similarly, seniors pick a theme and create a video before performing the Alma Mater live.
The freshmen initiated the contest coming out… loud. With a few microphone malfunctions, the group struggled to assemble their skit: an interpretation of the infamous “Panther Plague.” While the whole school was eventually infected, the class came together, rejuvenated by the Alma Mater. This skit earned them the title, “Most School Spirit.”
Sophomores took a different approach to the event, creating a contest within a contest. They performed solo and duo performances, as if on “The Voice,” with four students dressed as judges Reba McEntire, Snoop Dogg, Gwen Stefani, and Michael Bublé. The act acquired a healthy round of applause and participation from the audience, as everyone joined in to sing “Linger” by the Cranberries. The sophomores received the award “Funniest” for their entertaining act.
The juniors had a tough act to follow, as they one-upped their upperclassmen last year, with “Best Overall.” Their performance was entertaining to say the least. Dressed as dancers from Abby Lee Dance Company and Candy Apple’s Dance Center, the Abby Lee performers kept time to “Boss Ladies” by Photronique, while the Candy Apples executed “Apple” by Charli XCX perfectly. All in all, the skit was funny and garnered a lot of applause, earning them “Most Creative.”
Finally, the lights dimmed and the senior video was projected for the whole school to see. With little interviews sprinkled in, seniors pulled pranks on teachers, entertaining all. When the video concluded, seniors stormed the stage, the Alma Mater ringing out in the auditorium for the fourth and final time. The video editing, thanks to editor Bianca Rodin ‘25, as well as concept and interviews by the Class of 2025, the seniors earned “Best Overall,” concluding 2024’s Alma Mater contest.
