Friday August 29th, marked the first pep rally for the 2025-2026 school year at Winter Springs High School. While the usual bear nation Friday festivities, such as drumline and face painting took place, the superhero pep rally stole the show. Just hours before the varsity football team took on the Celebration High School Storm, the gym filled with students from all grades ready to show their school spirit. The pep rally kicked off with an outstanding performance from the Band of Gold, before Mr. Gaffney began to announce the fall sports. Boys and girls swimming, bowling, cross country, girls volleyball, and the spirit squad got to run out of the bear tunnel and be cheered on by the packed gym. Then the 2025 varsity softball team got to walk out with the state champion trophy earned at the end of the previous year, before shortly being followed by the football team.

After a short message from Head football coach, Coach Dycus, the pep rally continued with performances from both the renowned Hunnybears, and the WSHS cheerleading squad. The Step team finished their captivating performance and then it was time for the games to begin. The first game of the pep rally was the classic musical chairs. One boy and one girl from each grade got to compete with the crowd roaring louder as each round advanced.

After senior Lilly Clark was crowned victorious in musical chairs, the beloved spirit stick was ready to be earned. Between multiple screaming matches between the different grades the spirit stick was gifted to the loudest, most enthusiastic, and greatest class, the seniors. Among the chaos of the pep rally seniors Kristina Karaivanova and Reese Fernandez along with help of the spirit squad announced the theme for this year’s homecoming dance, “Cruisin’ into Homecoming” inspired by Teen Beach movie. The pep rally concluded with another performance from the Band of Gold, before the Bears football team went on to win their game against Celebration High School 17-3.