On March 21, 2025, Paint Branch held its spring pep rally in the gym to promote the school’s student athletes and sports teams. As soon as students finished filling in the bleachers, PB’s NJROTC (Naval Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps) and their Color Guard stood on the left side of the gym to present our nation’s colors. This was immediately followed by “The Star-Spangled Banner” being played on speakers. Then, people were told to stand up and be quiet, which many didn’t follow, as numerous people could be heard talking.
After the national anthem concluded and the Color Guard left their position, PB’s Student Government Association (SGA) members announced the accomplishments that PB’s winter sports teams achieved, as there wasn’t a pep rally in the winter. Shortly after, all of PB’s spring sports teams rushed out onto the gym floor and tried making the most spectacular entrance ever, while students spectating cheered.
After that was done, numerous games occurred involving athletes. The first one was the Mattress Relay Race, which involved people trying to slide on inflatable mattresses to the other the gym and back. Secondly, there was the Balloon Relay Race, which involved students from the audience. Two people first had to pass the balloon back and forth to each other, volleyball style. Then, after reaching the other end of the gym, two others returned the balloon, walking sideways with their backs pressed together, holding the balloon. After returning, somebody had to pop the balloon. Lastly, the athletes were split into two teams for three rounds of the classic Tug of War. Their goal was to pull as hard as possible with their teammates, so the center of the rope could cross a line to win
After all of the games concluded, everyone was dismissed to leave school, and the school’s band played in the background. Reflecting on how the pep rally went, SGA sponsor Ms. Aumaitre believed it went well. One goal she has for future pep rallies is to get more people to participate in games. She stated, “We always try every year to get more people involved in the games. A pep rally has only a certain amount of time, so it’s hard to get more and more people involved.”
Of course, there will be no more pep rallies for the rest of the year, as there are only three sports seasons in Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS). The next one will be in the coming school year during homecoming to celebrate fall sports.
