Behind the scenes of Rock Rivalry

Many people know what it is like to watch the Rock Rivalry production unfold, but do you know what it is like behind the scenes?

East Rockaway High School’s annual Rock Rivalry begins way before the curtains open.

Usually the planning and preparation kicks off in mid-February for the students, so they only have about one month to put everything together.

This inter-class competition, now in its 76th year, starts with sports night, where all four classes compete in a series of events such as sack races, tug-of-war, cage volleyball and pie eating.

The following weeks, the students are also judged on their ‘entrance,’ which is an original musical written, produced and preformed by the students and includes scripts, scenery (a mural) and props. Large, themed concession stands are designed and constructed by the students.

“Rock Rivalry is an opportunity to challenge yourself, and make friends in the process,” said three-year entrance chairman Vincent Celeste, who is excited to help lead his graduating class of 2012 to victory. The

class of 2012 won the Cup last year as the junior class, and now they are feeling the pressure to try and not only outdo their opposing grades, but try and outdo themselves.

Senior Emily McLaughlin, who is overall chairman for her first year, said that taking on the role of chairman is nothing like she expected.

“The stress, the planning, and the pressure can be very overwhelming,” she said. “It looked a lot easier than it really is.” She added that the experience prepared her for future situations, and helped her to learn how to deal with them rationally. “As a leader you need to learn how to listen to everyone’s ideas and not only your own. You can’t make everyone happy, but you also cannot be a dictator.”

Katie Seifert, a previous chairman, described Rock Rivalry as “the hardest most exhausting event in high school — but also the most Rewarding.”

Josh Warner is on his fourth and most challenging year as overall chairman. “This year there is a different vibe than previous

years” Josh said. “There’s more pressure, since our grade set the bar last year — but I’m confident we will pull it off and reach our goal.” Josh said that it’s an amazing process to watch ideas come to life, and that his class did it as a team.

“Winning the cup two years in a row will make this all worth it,” said Luke Fahrenkrug, entrance chairman for the class of 2012 for his second year. “We wish all the classes luck, and at the end of the day everyone is a winner.” The winner of Rock Rivalry will be announced on Fri. March 16.