The Gainesville High Red Elephant cheerleaders got things started on the arena stage.
"They're just trying to get everybody's spirits up," said cheerleader coach Helen Perry. "Stay in school, do the right thing, we want everybody to be successful and graduate."
Getting the graduation rate up is very important to Cargill Industries, according to production supervisor Bianca White; Cargill helped sponsor the rally.
"We want to put education first so we can employee really good employees," White said.
White says Cargill wants local high school graduates - not dropouts - to fill jobs, and the company draws workers from local high schools.
The rally was aimed at combating Hall County's school drop out rate, according to Rojene Bailey, executive director of the Beulah Rucker Museum Education Foundation, which hosted the event.
"We just want to do something so the kids will understand its OK to go to school, we want you to go to school and we're going to have a party for you," Bailey said.
Parents and students got free school supplies, entertainment and safety and school tips from Gainesville Police, the YMCA and the Boys and Girls Club.
Students pick up new pencils
Red Elephant cheer leaders
http://accesswdun.com/article/2008/8/212229