On April 11, 2025, PAHS had their spring pep rally in the gymnasium for students to celebrate our spring sports and be entertained by games including students and staff.
The pep rally started by introducing each spring sports team and their captains. The spring season consists of ten sports: boys and girls soccer, boys and girls tennis, boys baseball, girls softball, boys and girls lacrosse, and boys and girls track. After celebrating each team, the captains participated in a game of musical chairs. The crowd was loud as they cheered for each team, and in the end, the baseball team came out on top.
“One of my favorite parts of the pep rallies here at PA is the student section. Everyone is so hyped. I also love how we give our sports recognition. It gives the lesser-known sports a time to be celebrated,” said Devon Fuller, a senior.
The main event of the evening was the students vs. faculty basketball game. As a part of March Madness, six teams of students competed against each other in the gymnasium during one lunch. The winning team, “Dream Team,” then faced off against the faculty team during the pep rally.
After the sports recognition, the students vs. faculty basketball game started. The game had four quarters with three minutes each. The Dream Team consisted of seven players, and the faculty team consisted of seventeen members, including Principal Tarkenton, Mrs. McVea, Mr. Meisenhelter, Mr. Hakim, Mr. Montgomery, Mr. Sybers, Mr. Gardenhire, Mr. Kinser, Mrs. Augustine, Mr. Clemmons, Mr. Ulrich, Mr Troxel, Mr. Vanonstrand, Mrs. Filipowicz, Mr. Thornes, Mrs. Coulsting, and Mr. Stafford.
“The pep rally is a good chance for students to see their teachers not in a classroom setting,” said Mrs. McVea, one of the faculty members on the basketball team.
After the second quarter, more faculty acted as cheerleaders and performed PA’s spirit chants for the crowd to join in. The gymnasium was filled with school spirit as everyone participated in the PA rumble and color shout. A unique part of PA pep rallies is the student involvement. The SCA gives the students great opportunities to participate in the pap rallies, and it emphasizes inclusion in our school environment. Typically, the pep rallies would have a moment where students from the crowd do a fun game, such as tug-a-war; however, the spring pep rally was unable to include this due to the basketball game.
“The spring pep rally is a great way to send off the students on a positive note before spring break and exam season,” stated Fuller.
The spring pep rally concluded with cheers from the crowd as the final points were scored and the teachers won thirty-six to twenty-eight. With multiple events highlighting school sports, student involvement, and faculty participation, the rally marked the beginning of spring break on a good note. It served as an opportunity for students and staff to come together and recognize the efforts of the school’s athletic programs and community spirit. As the school year moves towards final exams and end-of-year activities, the rally provided a moment of unity and celebration for the PAHS community.
