Nearly 800 Clayton Pre-AP Academy middle school students sported grey Wolf Pack T-shirts donated by the Nevada Wolf Shop at the sixth annual College Day pep rally Friday, Oct. 21. The rally encouraged students to think about higher education and promote enthusiasm for future learning. 

"Many of our students often talk about how the assembly makes them begin to see college as an attainable goal," Clayton Principal and University Alumnus Bruce Meissner said.

Meissner welcomed the students to the assembly and introduced Nevada women's basketball coach Jane Albright and two of her student athletes, Associated Students of the University of Nevada President Brandon Boone and Associate Dean of Students Marcelo Vazquez who encouraged the students to think of themselves as leaders and to start preparing for their academic success now.  

"Remember three words - leadership, academics, service - and you are already well on your way to a successful path to college." Vazquez said.  

Energy and excitement filled the gymnasium throughout the pep rally.  

"The momentum provided by the University's students and staff is the catalyst for our student to 'step-up' as they are entering the most critical learning period of their adolescence," Meissner said. "Every student leaves the assembly a Wolf Pack fan but most importantly, every student leaves the assembly wanting to go to college,"  

The event also featured tunes played by the middle school pep band, a video slide show, a dance-off between the Nevada and Clayton mascots and the reciting of Nevada's Law of the Jungle lead by Nevada cheerleaders.