On Friday, Sept. 19, the gym was filled with students in the bleachers for this year’s Fall Rally. The walls were adorned with colorful banners featuring the names of athletes and musicians, ensuring everyone had their moment to shine. Right away, the energy was loud, excited and a little chaotic—in the best way.
ASB presidents came out first, hyping up the crowd and running through everything planned for the rally. What most people did not see was how much work went into pulling it all off. ASB had been painting, cutting and setting up for weeks to bring this year’s Princess and the Frog theme to life, crafting vibrant decorations like shimmering backdrops and playful cutouts.
The football team was the first to hit the gym floor, coming out to a hype song that had the bleachers shaking. Senior Gabriel Beltran said the team wanted the rally to feel “lit.” The crowd went wild cheering them on, especially since the team is still undefeated this season.
Next up was the cheer team with their routine to “Hot Butter Summer Time.” Their stunts and choreography were sharp, and the whole crowd clapped along. Many on the cheer team felt the nerves. Freshman cheerleader Ashley shared how performing was a new experience: “This is my first year in cheer, and honestly, it was a little overwhelming to perform in front of the whole school. But we did well, and I am really proud of how we handled it!” Despite the anxiety, their enthusiasm carried them through, and the crowd was electric.
Then the marching band came in, led by drum major Dennese Cruz, blasting Beyoncé’s “Crazy in Love.” The brass was powerful, the drums shook the floor and the excitement in the gym created a rare moment where everyone came together to enjoy the performance.
ASB made sure the rally was not just about watching—they got in on the action too. One of the biggest crowd-pleasers was the pool noodle battle, where participants attempted to knock cups off each other’s noodles. It was a hilarious spectacle, with the energy in the gym rivaling that of the main performances.
Different sports teams joined in with themed entrances to match the rally idea. For example, the cross country team did a Star Wars theme, while the volleyball team brought a Trolls concept.
But the loudest moment came when the Homecoming Court was announced, giving everyone a first look at the event happening at the end of October:
Freshmen: Princess Sierra Gomez and Prince Oliver Baluta
Sophomores: Princess Kayla Thai and Prince Eli Lu
Juniors: Princess Lorelai Hughes and Prince Alijah Sheppard
Seniors: Princesses Victoria Chou, Katie Ho, Julina Mireles, Shelsea Tran; Princes Noah Dodd, Jayden Phung, Christian Sotlys, Danny Yu and Nathan Zepeda
Freshman Breanna Tieu shared how she felt about her first rally, stating, “It was just fun to watch. The performers were actually great, and you could tell ASB put a lot of effort into it. The decorations, the costumes, the games—they really went all out, making it so much more enjoyable.”
ASB advisor Robert Godinez praised the students, saying, “The kids worked really hard to make the rally happen. They should all be proud.” And honestly, he is right. From the banners on the walls to the last cheer in the bleachers, the rally was proof of how much effort the students put in to make school fun. Whether on the floor performing or cheering wildly in the stands, everyone felt part of something bigger. That is what Gabrielino pride is all about—everyone supporting each other and leaving the gym louder than when they entered.
