"This is Zack Morris for KKTY at our final pep rally before the big game! I'll be covering all the action right here at the Max!"
Mr. Belding stepped up to the microphone. "Alright students! Tomorrow's the homecoming game! Now here's the captain of the football team, and just an all around great guy—A.C. Slater!"
The students were on their feet giving A.C. a standing ovation. Slater took the microphone flashing a smile. Kelly and Jessie stood behind him waving their pom-poms and cheering. Zack gave him a thumbs-up.
"Well, guys, this isn't Bayside's last football game, but it is the last football game for us seniors here at Bayside! This is the first school that's felt like home to me. This school is really special. My team is really special," he spoke softly as he looked over at his teammates. "We've come a long way! Together, we've given Bayside a winning record for the last four years! Now, the guys and I have worked hard all year! We're going to keep doing our best and finish the season out strong! Winning tomorrow's game is just the beginning! We're going to nationals this year!" he yelled proudly pumping his fist.
His fellow players hooped and pumped their fist in agreement.
"Wow!" Zack announced. "Our beloved captain has just made a promise to take the Tigers where they've never gone before! All the way to nationals!"
"You might be good at baseball! You might be good at track! But when it comes to football, you might as well step back! Might as well step back!" Jessie and Kelly chanted.
"Say what?" Slater yelled.
"You might as well step back!" The cheerleaders and students yelled back.
"Can't hear you!" Slater yelled again.
"Might as well step back!" This time they all yelled as loud as they could.
"Go Bayside!" Jessie and Kelly cheered running up and giving Slater a kiss on the cheek. First, Slater looked a little shocked, then, he grinned from ear to ear.
"The crowd is going wild! If this rally let's us get a glimpse of the parade and game tomorrow, those Bulldogs better get back just like they were warned!" Zack yelled excitedly.
"Back to you, Mr. B!" Slater gave Mr. Belding the floor. He and Jessie stepped off the stage as Kelly slipped backstage to change for the next event.
"Now, I'd just like to honor all the Bayside football seniors who have given it their all year after year. You freshmen players have a lot to live up to!" he pointed at a few freshmen players who nodded. "All of our senior football players, stand up and take a bow!" he directed motioning with his hand. Ox, Moose, Animal, Steve, and Joe all stood up and waved, then, bowed clumsily as they chuckled.
The students yelled their names and cheered them on.
"Mr. Belding," Screech whispered to the principal. "I think it's time for me to share my wisdom with the students!" He allowed Mr. Belding a glimpse at his stack of index cards. "I prepared a lecture on the importance of hydration as well as tips on how to prevent muscle cramps!" Screech reached for the microphone.
"Screech, don't you think the students are a little too riled up for a lecture?" Mr. Belding asked as he moved the microphone from Screech's grasp.
"No, increased emotions and physical activity means they're at greater risk for dehydration!" Screech retorted quickly.
"Sit down, Screech," Mr. Belding, perturbed, commanded.
"Alright, now it's time for our special homecoming crowning!" Mr. Belding announced trying to regain control of the crowd. The crowd quieted and Mr. Belding continued.
"You heard him, ladies and gents. It's the moment we've all been waiting for. Or at least I have," Zack told the microphone with a smirk as he straightened his shirt collar.
"First, I'd like to take introduce a young lady who has been making Bayside proud now for three years. She has been a leader on her sports teams often leading them to victory. She also has a reputation for doing good, being honest, and helping others. Here she is—Miss Kelly Kapowski!"
The crowd went wild. Every male stood up, whistling and applauded as Kelly took the stage. Girls gasped at the sight of her sparkling silver gown. Slater stood up, clapping and yelling and the rest of the football players joined. One held up a sign saying, "Marry me, Kelly!".
Zack stood entranced as he watched Kelly walk graceful up to the microphone. She looked like she had walked straight out of one of his after school detention fantasies he used to have about her. Zack shook his head and regained his composure, "I'm sure you can hear the crowd going crazy. The former queen, Miss Kapowski, has taken the stage. Looking absolutely," his voice trailed off as he searched for the right word.
In his brief silence, Kelly looked around the Max, when suddenly her eyes fell on him. It was a habit she had developed while they were dating. Whenever she would compete, whether it was a pageant, a swim meet, or a cheerleading competition, she would find him in the audience. He would smile and nod and she would soar.
So, when her eyes locked with his, Zack gave her a genuine smile and a nod. "Looking absolutely… enchanting," he finished.
Kelly turned and looked around at her students. "Thank you, Mr. Belding," she smiled gratefully at him. "Thank you, Bayside!" She smiled warmly at her fellow students. "It has been an honor to be your homecoming queen," she paused for a moment. "But this crowning isn't about me. This is a time to celebrate a new queen at Bayside! A young woman who is passionate, talented, honest—sometimes brutally honest—"she and the crowd chuckled, "and always there for her friends. She is like a sister to me, and I'm honored to pass on my crown to my best friend, Lisa Turtle!" she began clapping and smiled as she watched Lisa approach the stage waving royal elegance in a beautiful blue sequined gown she had designed herself.
Again the crowd went wild. The stood up cheering and this time another football player held up a "Marry me, Lisa!" sign.
"Alright, students, in case you haven't heard there's a new queen reigning at Bayside. One of my favorite ladies, Lisa Turtle, won the crown by a landslide!" Zack told radio land.
Kelly and Lisa hugged tightly. The crowd awed and sighed at the sight of the two friends hugging. Kelly took the crown from her head and placed it gently over Lisa's soft, black hair. Then, she stepped back toward the Max door, giving Lisa the spotlight. Lisa stepped in front of the microphone, beaming at her fellow students.
In a royal fashion, Lisa clasped her hands in front of her, a huge smile on her face. "I am honored to be chosen as your homecoming queen," she began. "It means so much to me. I hope I can live up to all those things that Kelly said about me. I know this may be hard to believe, but I'm at a loss for words," everyone laughed with her. "So…Beat Valley!" she cheered pumping her fist in the air.
"Words of wisdom from Bayside's royal highness—and my date for the homecoming dance Saturday! See you all at the festivities tomorrow!"