CHS goes all out for first pep rally of 2022-23
Athletics, band, cheer, and leadership put on a memorable rally packed with spirit, games, and good news about CHS’ schoolwide academic performance
Football captain and quarterback Gabriel Aparicio waves the Colton spirit flag during the introduction of the football team.
Colton, CA—On August 26th students were welcomed into the Ken Hubbs Gym for the yearly Welcome Back Pep Rally. Colton High School Principal John Abbott welcomed a gymnasium full of Yellowjacket students and faculty.
Crimson and gold balloons were hanging beautifully all over the gym as students’ cheers filled the air.
“I’m nervous, but it looks cool, you know I’m pretty excited,” said Evelyn Medina, a freshman at Colton High School.
An early highlight of the Pep Rally involved an inflatable volleyball match between classes: Seniors vs. Sophomores, Juniors vs. Freshmen. The seniors won in both rallies, and so did the juniors. The underclassmen, however, seemed a little confused.
“The underclassmen kept trying to hit [the inflatable volleyball] to the volleyball team,” said Alexandra Buskirk, CHS Activities Director.
Students were treated to a performance by the CHS cheerleaders and drumline. Athlete representatives from CHS Football, Cross-Country, and Tennis teams encouraged the hype for their upcoming games on center stage.
The energy continued as all the representatives from the athletic teams competed in a relay race. The football team got off to a bad start in the first rally relay when their reps took an immediate tumble. It looked bad for the football team, but somehow they achieved the impossible and had a dramatic comeback.
There was more to celebrate than just the Pep Rally. Principal Abbott shared some important information about CHS students’ commitment and participation in the Measurement of Academic Progress (MAPS) tests taken last week.
“We have the highest participation rate in the Colton Joint Unified School District (CJUSD),” Abbott said.
The cheerleaders began another cheer performance demonstrating their flying skills, which got the crowd erupting into applause and cheers.
The color guards introduced the band members as they broke out into an arrangement of “Levitating” by Dua Lipa. Near the end of the rally, the band led CHS in the singing of the school’s alma mater.
The Pep Rally concluded with announcements about the Homecoming rally and about the “White Out” game tonight between Colton High and Grand Terrace High School.
Recently, the CHS Publications Department experienced a major theft as over $20,000 in photography equipment was stolen from our studio over Spring Break. This included all cameras. Any amount you donate will help rebuild our program. Thank you!
Daphne Marquez is currently a junior at Colton High School. This is her third year on the Pepper Bough staff, and her first as Editor-in-Chief.