Jags glowed bright with school spirit at the first pep rally of the season on Sept. 6. The theme was neon, and the event led into the Jags 35-24 win against Stony Point that evening. The second pep rally will take place Sept. 12, followed by a home game against Austin High. 

“I do think winning the first game had a lot of weigh-in,” senior cheerleader and spirit co-captain Abigail Hunt said. “I also think that last year we had a lot of fun at the black out pep rally cause it was our last one. This year people were more excited for it to be the first one because last year they had a lot of fun.”

The senior class was awarded the spirit stick for being the loudest and showing the most enthusiasm during the pep rally. 

“There was a lot of adrenaline rushing through all of us trying to beat the other grades,” senior Natalie Jimenez said. “Especially the sophomores that were tied. Just trying to beat them.”

The cheer and team was tasked with preparing the gym for the pitch-dark event. They worked the whole week to cover the windows with black paper, set up black lights, and add decorations. 

“We’re set up in groups this year where each group in cheer is assigned to decorate a certain pep rally,” Hunt said. “My group was the black out, so we decided to put streamers up, ‘Let’s Glow’ signs and wrap the poles and railings up.”

The pep rally featured performances from the cheer team and Rosettes under the glow of black lights. The cheerleaders performed multiple stunts in a line formation as well as a cheer. 

“I was nervous about not being able to see, but there was enough light that we were all good,” Hunt said. “It was a lot of fun.”