This Friday afternoon pep rally concludes the week long spirit week celebration. “Man Poms” is one of the highlights of the pep rally and is a unique and long running Tosa West tradition. 

Man Poms is organized by the Tosa West Dance Team.

“Each TDT girl or guy gets to pick a member, we teach them a simple two minute routine we perform in front of the school during the homecoming pep rally assembly,”  said senior Jalysa Runyan a member of TDT that has been dancing for eight years.

Being asked to dance as a “Man Pom” can be a little intimidating. “I just think that people get uncomfortable with it when they get asked. It’s like a girl and a guy dancing, but I just think it’s a fun time. I think most people should try it if they have they opportunity,” said Senior Collin Jacobi. Senior Tosa West Dance Team member Riley McAdams chose Jacobi as her partner.

A review of yearbooks from 1968 in the guidance department showed 1983 being the first year the tradition began. There were some teachers that were there for some of the earlier performances.

English Teacher Tom Norstrem has been teaching at Wauwatosa West for the past 28 years. He said the tradition has not been continuous. “It was on again off again, they did it for a couple years and then they wouldn’t do it for a while. And they did it for a year, two years, and then they didn’t so I really don’t know when it really started.”  

Students practiced two times before the pep rally assembly.  Many of the students chosen to participate are members of the varsity Football team.

Some participants of the 2019 school year include:

Anthony Munywanyi, Collin Jacobi, Jalen Small, Simon Doyle, Noach Loechler, Nolan Burke, DeAndre Harris Williams,  Jacob Gross, Cole Millencbach, Daniel ONeil, Benjamin Soboleski, Calvin Shcwake, Kewuane Gilbert.

Jacobi said, “The group of guys are really funny. And I just think it’s gonna be a good time as all of us are friends.”