Although the score did not end in the team's favor, the fans in the stands were never silenced. The student section was overflowing with cheering fans, along with SGA leading the students with rallying cheers and roars that started hours before the game at the tailgate. Games and music played by our very own DJ gathered the students at Parrish with an energy that was undeniable.   

What goes on behind the scenes? 

That energy continues, as PCHS prepares for the next home game that will take place on September 11. Every morning of a home game, SGA, cheer, dance, and band gather in the courtyard to show their Parrish spirit and hype everyone up for the game.  

But does anyone wonder what actually goes behind the scenes of a successful pep rally?   

When asked what a successful pep rally looks like, cheer coach Bailee French says, “All the students attending...with super hype energy.”    

In an interview with French, she reveals that the cheer team spends half of their practices learning new routines specifically for the pep rallies, then spends the rest of the practice cleaning their routines.   

The same was said about the Blue Belles dance team. Coach Natalie Moore explains that the dance team works on their routines two to three times a week and adjusts depending on upcoming events. She goes on to say that some of the girls got to experience their first pep rally at PCHS at the past football game, and that they had so much fun! The team's favorite part of performing is the PCHS fight song at the morning pep rallies, despite the early times.   

“We love getting to dance with the Pride of Parrish Marching Band!” says Moore.

Moore admits that the team has been working on their routines since summer, and while talking to band director Ron Lambert, he says the band has been working since their summer band camp as well. Lambert speaks about how he works with the dance team, cheer team, and SGA frequently to coordinate music/chants.  

“Music is everything,” Lambert said. 

The band meets weekly to make sure their music is prepared for pep rallies, and their practice seems to be paying off because one student confirms that “the band really sets the atmosphere.”   

SGA   

Speaking of setting the atmosphere, SGA director Peyman Nazarian says there is a “whole multitude of things” that need to happen in order to put on a successful pep rally. 

From notifying the guardians at the front gate to let them know that the student leaders are coming in early, to gathering all of SGA into the courtyard on time, the hectic planning never ends in student government. But Nazarian doesn’t mind the hassle, because he has big goals for future pep rallies.   

“I really want the football team to be the focal point... and pump up the crowd,” says Nazarian. He explains how he wants the attention to be turned toward the football players, who will play later that night. Nazarian believes that by having the boys run through the courtyard and even hype up the student body by speaking on the mic, it will pump everyone up for the game.   

“I like to think of this school as one big community,” Nazarian says, adding that the most important thing to him is for every student to be involved in the school spirit.   

Spirit is so important for the early-morning pep rallies, and everyone can’t wait for the next one; that is coming up quick on September 11. Stay tuned to hear about how all of the work spent on preparations done by our spirit leaders pays off!