RABBETTES

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In 1933, the Peppettes were founded and organized by a Mesa High junior, Bobby Petrie, a cheer leader, as a popularity club for boys and girls to sustain and increase school spirit at all athletic events. Over the years, the organization grew. In 1948, the members of the squad chose the name Rabbettes by submitting a list of names and voting on them. Rabbettes was chosen unanimously, in recognition of the Mesa High mascot, the jackrabbit. The Rabbettes were led by Miss Marjorie Entz until 1971, when she retired. After Entz’s retirement, there was no one willing to devote the energy and enthusiasm which she had lavished on the group, so the Rabbettes also retired.

Dan Shearer is a senior editor with The Arizona Republic:

Mesa High's cheer squads had many names: The Peppettes, the El Connettes and the “Marching Squad.”

They took the Rabbettes name in 1947, under the guidance of longtime Mesa High legend Marjorie Entz (there's an elementary school named for her). Entz oversaw the team for 35 years, and worked with school band director Harvey L. Taylor (he's got a school, too: Taylor Junior High) to come up with memorable, well-executed football halftime shows.

 The group's routines were so good that they got an invite to the 1949 Rose Bowl. Years later, they introduced “script” onto the field, spelling out “Mesa” and the halftime scores.

Lacking a sponsor, and with Entz in questionable health, the Rabbettes packed it in after the 1969-70 school year. She retired in June 1971. In one of the Rabbettes' final tributes, they spelled out “Entz” on the field.

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CLASS OF 63 RABBETTE LEADERS