Ears pounding, feet stomping, and voices echoing—this year’s “Jags in the Jungle” pep rally took school spirit to new heights. Held in front of a packed crowd of students and staff, the rally featured everything from surprise “HOCO proposals” to a rock-paper-scissors championship, making it an unforgettable experience for everyone at PPCHS.
From the very start, the energy was electric. The drumline thundered through the gym, setting the tone for an hour full of excitement, surprises, and unity. The rally kicked off in a new and spectacular fashion with an electric guitar rendition of the national anthem that had everyone on their feet. But the rally didn’t end with the last performance, it erupted into an unforgettable moment as the entire gym turned into a mosh pit during dismissal. It was pure, unfiltered Jaguar pride.
The sports teams (Golf, Football, Swimming, Cross country, and Girls Volleyball) followed with show-stopping entrances, each one more creative than the last. The girls’ volleyball team entered to roaring cheers, Junior star player Abigail Reynolds spiking a volleyball mid-court, while the cross country team stormed the floor, and engaged in a piggy-back race.
The rally was full of surprises that left the audience buzzing, including an unexpected HOCO proposal that unfolded right before everyone’s eyes. As a couple made their grand gesture, the entire gym erupted into cheers, capturing the kind of unforgettable moments that define high school experiences.
The excitement didn’t stop there, as this year featured a new “Rock-Paper-Scissors Shoot” competition which had students locked in on fierce challenges throughout the day, uniting friends and strangers alike in a school-wide game that culminated at the rally. Each participant was given beads and challenged random opponents throughout the day, with the top 5 students competing in a live showdown during the pep rally.
Senior Ava Kromke emerged victorious, crowned the official PPCHS Rock-Paper-Scissors Champion. “I was really surprised I won,” she admitted. “At first, I wasn’t playing much, but when I got into the final round at the rally, I thought I might lose for sure. It was so intense!” The competition brought the entire school together, encouraging students to interact with people they had never talked to before. “Even if you didn’t win, everyone had a great time,” Ava added.
With excitement at an all time high, the cheerleading squad, which took center stage with a performance that had everyone on their feet. For the first time, both JV and Varsity squads performed together. “We knew we had to set the tone for the rally,” said Victoria Eason, Co-captain of the Cheer Team. This year, including both JV and Varsity squads showed we’re one team, and it really boosted school spirit.”
The gym pulsed with energy as PPCHS students rallied behind their friends and classmates, who gave everything in their performances. From Zumba and K-pop to Bollywood, Fashion Club, Latin Dance, and the Dance team, each act brought a new wave of excitement. The cheers were so intense that the music seemed to fade into the background as the crowd’s energy took over.
The rally wasn’t just about watching from the bleachers. Student involvement took center stage with crowd-chosen games, including the basketball challenges, where students ranging from from all grades faced off in thrilling contests. For Juniors like Christopher Hutchinson, the pep rally was a mix of excitement and reflection.
“As a Junior, I was just taking it all in and thinking, ‘Wow, I’ve only got one year left to experience this.’ It made me appreciate how much these events bring us together,” he said. “But I can’t even imagine how the seniors must be feeling. This is their last pep rally ever—it must be hitting them hard. I feel the energy and excitement now, but there’s also a little bit of sadness knowing that these moments won’t last forever.”
With the drumline leading the way, the students were meant to leave the gym, but this year’s excitement reached another level as a mosh pit broke out, turning the dismissal into an unforgettable moment. “It’s the kind of experience you just want to hold onto,” says Christopher Hutchinson.
