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On March 28, 2025, students packed the gym with excitement and energy for a special event that brought the junior and senior classes together. Instead of holding two separate pep rallies, this year’s Winter and Spring Pep Rally events were combined into one celebration of school spirit, sports and student talent during periods seven through nine.
“The pep rally was one of those moments that made me really appreciate being part of this school. The energy, the excitement, and just everyone coming together. It made me feel proud to be a senior and part of this amazing community,” senior Derek Yang said.
The event kicked off with high energy as all three performing groups, the Romanettes, STEP team and the Twirlers, took the floor with dynamic routines. Their performances were spaced out between introductions of athletes from various winter and spring sports teams, who took their moments in the spotlight as their accomplishments were recognized.
In between the performances and team introductions, the gym came alive with games and activities that kept the energy high and the audience engaged for Junior-Senior Challenge Night.
“I thought that the day went unbelievably well with all the enthusiasm,” Class of 2026 adviser Mrs. Esposito said. “I thought that the people who organized it, the Phys Ed teachers, Mrs. Vosswinkel-Blum, the performing groups, the teams all did such a fabulous job.”
Juniors and seniors went head-to-head in a fun and competitive series of games, battling for the class trophy. Students participated in Tug of War, Hit the Deck Relay Race, Basketball Free Throw Contest and other challenges that allowed students to show off their skills and school pride.
“The combination of the challenges, performing groups, and athletes made this year’s pep rally so much more enjoyable than in previous years, especially with a trophy to win. Just standing there in the crowd I could feel all the school spirit and excitement with all the chanting and clapping going on around me. My friends and I were all up on top of the bleachers cheering and we were smiling the whole time!” junior Rifaya Khan said.
All seniors from the Romanettes, Twirlers and STEP Team also performed their Senior Showcase, a special dance routine that combines all three of the performing group’s distinct styles.
The afternoon ended with a final competition between the classes in a round of Head-Shoulders-Knees-Toes, a game in which two participants face-off by following the instructions given by the emcee. The instructions are either for the students to touch their head, shoulders, knees, toes, or the cone placed in front of them. The winner is the participant who grabs the cone first.
At the end of the battle, the seniors were announced victorious and named the winners of the 2025 Junior-Senior Challenge.
“I’m extremely salty that we lost, but since the seniors are leaving this year, I’m letting it slide. Being dragged during the scooter race was a 10/10 experience. I would do it again,” junior Isabelle Chan said.
“Winning was honestly electric, it was really amazing to have such an incredible turnout for both classes and the competitiveness of the games elevated the thrill of the tournament,” senior Yakub Merzougui said. “With both crowds so invested, it was impossible not to feel triumphant.”
“Winning Junior-Senior night was an unreal experience. It uniquely brought the grade together to celebrate all performing groups, athletes and friends. The cherry on top was that we were the first class to ever win Junior-Senior night two years in a row and the first Seniors to win,” 2025 Class President Marco Valle said.
