Shouting their graduation year, “2026,” communications juniors Becca Cross and Emily Ramirez show their support for the junior class at the beginning of the Pep Rally. At the end of the Pep Rally, it is a tradition for the junior class to run over to the senior side of the bleachers in the gym to symbolize taking their place in the coming year. “At first, I didn’t notice people running over because I was too busy watching my senior friends,” Cross said. “Understanding that I’m going to be a senior next year and watching it all happen (…) is sad, but I was also happy. It was bittersweet.”

Strings freshman Zayne Dababneh sighs in relief after collecting a hoodie from the class of ‘28’s section of the bleachers during the queen’s request game. In this game, principal Blake Bennett calls out an item that audience members must toss to the players on the court. The last player to get back and sit down on the starting line is eliminated, and this repeats until there is only one grade level left.

Wearing a “DAMN” themed jean jacket based off of Kendrick Lamar’s album, English teacher Moriah Carlisle dances to the song “Not Like Us” while holding up a mustard plush, representing the name of the song’s producer. This dance opened the annual teacher performance, which was the final event of the Pep Rally before the winners were announced.

Posing in an overhead clasp position, visual junior Melanie Schmidt is lifted by communications junior Kendall Lamotte and visual junior Remy Redcross. During the Pep Rally, the cheer team, with members from all grades and majors, put on a performance to songs by Kendrick Lamar, Doja Cat, and French Montana.

Waving a ribbon through the air, principal Blake Bennett closes off the teacher’s dance to the song “Defying Gravity” from the “Wicked” soundtrack. The performance was based off of the 2024 film adaptation, with principal Bennett playing the character Glinda and assistant principal Teneisha Finney playing the character Elphaba.

Linking arms, assistant principals William Clark, Ronald Lewis, and Drew Dawson, and testing coordinator and Student Government Association (SGA) sponsor Sarah Ray dance to the song “Follow the Yellow Brick Road.” The four administrators dressed as characters from “The Wizard of Oz,” introducing the theme of the staff performance which was the spin-off film “Wicked.”

Facing the senior class, theatre senior George “King Smooth” Bostic raps to his song “Get Dis Money.” This was Bostic’s fourth and final year performing at the Pep Rally.