The second the ball lifts from the tips of your fingers is the same second that your fate is no longer in your own hands. As the ball glides through the air your heart beats to the rhythm of the crowd’s screams. All it takes is this one shot. One shot and you could be on your way to Disney.

Known as the “Happiest Place on Earth”, Disney World is one of the very few places that can elicit such strong nostalgia from anyone’s childhood years. Disney brings people of all ages together for shows, good food, exhilarating rides, and much more. Every year, North Penn High School seniors are given the opportunity to take part in a class trip to Disney. This year the trip will take place from Thursday, February 22 until Tuesday, February 27. 

“Every year we take this trip and everyone that has gone has said they loved it. I have never talked to a senior who went on the trip and said they regretted going,” Senior Class Advisor Christina Greenwood stated. 

While the class cabinet encourages everyone to go, they do acknowledge that the cost of the trip can be quite costly for some students and their families.

“We are aware that this trip doesn’t fit in everyone’s budget and we try to provide as many resources as we can, such as snap raise, so that students can still try and participate in the trip,” Senior Class President Maddie Hanrahan expressed. “While we do offer some resources, it can still be difficult for many students to come up with the amount needed for the trip”. 

This year with the total cost of the Disney trip coming to around $1,820, the class cabinet is aware of how significantly a discount on this trip could impact a student. That is why they have decided this year to allow five lucky seniors to go on the Disney trip for free. 

Every year, North Penn holds its annual pep rally on the day of homecoming. The pep rally typically includes performances from groups like the Marching Knights and North Penn’s cheerleading squad, as well as the introduction of all the fall sports teams. One event that has become a tradition at the pep rally is the half-court shot. During the pep rally students are typically selected from the stands to come onto the court and attempt to make a half-court shot. However, this year’s class cabinet has decided to put a little spin on the half-court tradition. 

“We do the half-court shot every year, but the difference this year is that you could win a free trip to Disney,” Hanrahan stated. “We think this will be a great way to not only help accommodate seniors who might not be able to make the payment, but also to get the crowd pumped and add extra hype for the pep rally”. 

Obviously, only seniors can be selected to participate in the half-court shot contest, but the hope is that this will become the new tradition and get future classes excited for their senior year pep rallies. Five seniors will be randomly selected on Friday, September 29, and will receive an email with further details. The names of the selected seniors will also be revealed on the Morning Show that Friday. During the week of homecoming, there will be an opportunity for the selected participants to practice their half-court shots after school in the gym. They will also be joined by members of the basketball team, Mr. Frey, Gino, and others to help them practice. The after-school practice will be filmed and released on the morning show on the day of homecoming.  

“We really want at least one person to make the shot. By giving each selected participant time to practice, we can hopefully increase the probability that someone will make it,” Hanrahan shared. 

For students who wish not to participate, there will be a form released this week where students will have the chance to opt out of the random selection process. If you do not complete the form before Friday, your name could still possibly be selected. If a student makes the half-court shot and has already made their first payment, they will be reimbursed. 

“We are so excited for this year’s half-court shot contest and we really hope that the students are too! I definitely think this could become a new tradition,” Hanrahan stated. 

If you have any more questions regarding the half-court shot please reach out to the class of 2024 advisers, Mrs. Greenwood at [email protected] or Mr.Frey at [email protected].