Nayeli Gonzalez

On Sept. 4, students attended their first pep rally of the year for a home football game.

“My first impression walking in was that it’s more loud and energetic, somewhat overstimulating,” sophomore Farris Easley said.

Many students already know what to do and how pep rallies work, but for freshmen it was their first ever pep rally as a Bulldog.

“It felt so hyped compared to middle school,” freshman Aliyah Rodriguez said. “The school involved us more into activities and school spirit.”

Student council and staff plan activities and games for students to interact with other kids around the school and give them a closer bond with the school.

“I feel a lot more connected to the school than last year,” Farris said. “It was hard being a freshman, but now as a sophomore it feels cooler and more fun.”

Unlike most of our students, many of the freshmen had to experience their first high school pep rally in the PAC rather than in the gym due to capacity limits.

“The PAC was full of freshmen and the environment in their felt closed off, not the same as how it looked in the gym,” freshman Aldo Reyes said.

Some students weren’t in the PAC or the stands; they were on the floor being a part of the pep rally like the band members, Starlettes, cheerleaders and football players.

“As a football player I feel more connected to the school mainly because I am part of the pep rally,” senior Aadan Manuel said. “It’s different than in the stands. It’s cooler and fun and you feel excitement for people cheering you on.”

Tylee Pettit, Jardae Brown, Ty Valencia and Nariyah Johnson contributed to this story.