The Paw Print

By Alexa Gola, Associate News & Features Editor; Photos courtesy of Leah Galibois, Photo Editor

At the end of a thematic week filled with jerseys, twinned outfits and style choices inspired by decades long gone, the Payton Grizzlies packed into the West Gym for the annual homecoming pep rally. For a school with a history of lackluster spirit, students and teachers came surprisingly prepared to showcase their pride. Staff members could be seen wearing matching “Grizzly Nation” t-shirts, hundreds of students were decked out in school merch and the pep band was in position to celebrate. 

The juniors appeared to particularly enjoy their newfound bleacher privileges, pounding their feet for the classic opening round of competing class cheers. The four grades set the tone for the afternoon, leading the way for Principal Shabazz to film a spirited video that was reportedly sent to the principal of Kenwood. Payton’s football team would face off against Kenwood for their homecoming game later that evening. 

Masti, Payton’s Bollywood dance group, excited the crowd with a trio of brief performances. Later showcases from dance-based enrichments included two numbers from TAK, Payton’s K-pop dance group, and the Dancing Divas of Payton.

Following Masti’s performance, the school cheered on Payton’s boys’ soccer, girls’ tennis, boys’ 16 in. softball, girls’ cross country and girls’ flag football teams. Spirit ran high as students hollered enthusiastically for their athlete friends. 

Payton also welcomed its girls’ volleyball, girls’ swim, co-ed tackle football, and poms teams to the floor. Poms gave a spirited performance, joining forces with a few members of the tackle football team to the crowd’s delight. 

An entertaining balloon relay between staff and grade-level student teams demonstrated just how competitive the community could be. Though a certain amount of cheating was undoubtedly involved, the staff team ultimately emerged victorious.

Closing out the afternoon, Mr. Potter and Ms. Martinez led a whole school fight song rendition, accompanied by Mr. Ashworth and his student pep band. Student Government President Aria Shah and Vice President Sou Lynn Beneteau offered brief remarks, offering the class of 2028 information on their representative elections before turning the floor over to Principal Shabazz, who updated the school on Saturday night’s road closures. The pep rally appeared to be an overall success, with students emerging energized and ready for the evening’s homecoming football game and the following night’s masquerade-themed dance.