The recognizable rustle of pom-poms and robust rumbles of the band playing the Westwood Fight song echoed throughout the hallways on Friday, Aug. 25 as students filed into the fieldhouse in anticipation of the first pep rally of the year. 

Host varsity tennis coach Travis Dalrymple started the show of spirit with a competition between the two sides of the gym, to see which side could show more Warrior pride. The winning side came away with two free pizzas to be enjoyed at lunch. 

“[I] try to make [the pep rally] as fun as possible, for the athletes, for the studious kids, for the band, for every student. I want them to be able to find something in the pep rally that they can identify with,” Coach Dalrymple said. 

Throughout the pep rally, many different student groups got the opportunity to perform. Cheerleaders took the floor to perform a gravity-defying routine set to an upbeat mash-up of classic pop songs. Garage Band serenaded the student body with their rendition of the K-pop girl group FIFTY FIFTY’s “Cupid”. The final performance was a rousing and energetic hip-hop routine from the SunDancers. 

“We practiced so much; we learned our dance at line camp over the summer, and we just all worked so hard,” SunDancer Caroline Johnson ‘26 said. “[My favorite part is] how excited and fun all of the students were, cheering us on.”

The pep rally also allowed multiple sports captains to update students on the start of their seasons. Team captains from varsity water polo, varsity tennis, and varsity football all informed students on how their seasons had been going thus far, and how students could come out and support the teams at their games. Bush’s Chicken also presented two awards; one given to football player Demani Stewart ‘24 for Player of the Week, and one given to Ms. Natalie Wieland for Star Teacher. Both recipients received a voucher for a free meal at Bush’s Chicken.

“Attending a pep rally is like taking a much-needed break from the long school week, and I love being able to experience the school spirit and positive energy of the crowd in the middle of the day,” Olivia Jung ’25 said. “I always leave feeling refreshed.”

The final activity was a scavenger hunt, led by Coach Dalrymple. A group of student volunteers came down to the middle and raced to find various items from people in the crowd. Sandali Gangwar ‘26 emerged victorious after 5 intense rounds. 

“My favorite part of the pep rally was the game where different people had to compete to get different objects from the crowd, that was pretty fun to watch,” said Lulu Szeto ‘26. 

After the scavenger hunt, students and staff alike rose for the Westwood Alma Mater, bringing the first pep rally to a close. 

“I really like the energy, it’s just really fun being with everybody and seeing the different people that attend the school come together,” said Szeto. 

The next pep rally will take place on Sep. 15 in the Fieldhouse Gym.