The Paw Print

By Megha Khemka, Junior Editor-in-Chief; Photos by Peter Albu, Photo Editor

Payton’s fall sports teams had an incredible season in 2022, with many making it to city or state championships and overcoming injuries and COVID cases. In celebration of each of our teams, and especially the senior players, Payton students attended a pep rally on Thursday, September 29. Between senior recognition, dance performances, and season recap videos, the enrichment showcased Payton students’ various talents.

Poms kicked off the afternoon, with senior footballers joining them for a spirited performance. Soon afterwards, the entire football team got together for a successful Homecoming proposal from freshman Sam Merrill.

Payton’s diverse dance groups were spotlighted throughout the event, including performances from TAK (K-pop dance), Masti (South Asian dance), and Latin Dance Fusion.

The sense of community and competition present at sports games was brought to the forefront through two contests. In the first, representatives from each grade level attempted to get all the gummy worms out of a whipped cream pie without using their hands, and Ava Manrique ’24 scored a win for the junior class. In the second, the student body came together to compete against faculty and administration in a scooter relay race, with an inter-grade team narrowly defeating the adults.

The seniors of each fall sport were applauded in recognition of their final season and their years-long contributions to the teams. In an outstanding culmination of the afternoon, singing instructors Mr. Potter and Ms. Martinez led the school in a spirited rendition of the Payton fight song. Energy was high after the event, with seniors wrapping up an amazing run of fall sports and everyone excited for the upcoming Homecoming game and dance. Go Grizzlies!