The football stadium was buzzing with excitement on Oct.10 during school as students, teachers and families packed the stands for the annual homecoming pep rally. Organized by the Student Government Association (SGA), the event was full of fun, energy and school pride from start to finish. Students wore school colors: freshmen in white, sophomores in red, juniors in blue and seniors in red and blue.

One of the most exciting parts of the rally was the balloon-popping game designed for students to participate in. Volunteers from each grade raced to pop balloons that were tied to their feet. They had to pop the balloon by stepping on it to finish. Students who weren’t part of the game were clapping and yelling encouragement. The game gave the audience a chance to be part of the action, making the rally interactive and fun. “I wasn’t in the game, but watching it made me want to participate. It looked like a lot of fun, and I know people who had a great time participating in it,” junior Noa Lucas said.

The pep rally also featured performances from student groups that had the crowd cheering nonstop. The cheerleaders performed a high-energy competition routine, filled with flips, jumps, stunts and motions. Other performances included the Afroelites and poms, both of whom impressed with their rhythm, precision and creativity. Woottonettes, a combination of seniors and poms, performed a routine that got the crowd laughing. Each performance brought its own energy and style, keeping the audience engaged and on their feet throughout the rally.

All the sports team captains introduced themselves to the crowd. Each captain shared a little about their team, giving students a chance to connect with the athletes. The introductions made the audience feel involved and excited to cheer on their teams during the homecoming game. “I really enjoyed the homecoming pep rally because it gave me a chance to see all of the fall sports and get excited for the game. The performances were really good, and sometimes we don’t get the opportunity to watch, so it was nice to see all of them,” junior Jolie Ginsburg said.

The SGA’s careful planning was evident in the smooth operation of the rally. The mix of performances, audience games and team introductions created a dynamic experience that kept everyone entertained. From students in the stands to those participating on the field, the pep rally had something for everyone. “I really enjoyed the pep rally, which got me excited for the homecoming after party, Gloco. Everyone did great, and it was very well organized to show every fall sport,” junior Lily Zaiderman said.

By the end of the event, the stadium was full of smiles, cheers and applause. The combination of the balloon-popping game, high-energy performances and team captain introductions highlighted the best parts of homecoming: school pride, community and fun. Students left feeling excited for the upcoming homecoming game and proud to be a part of their school.