HAHarvey Walden
11 hours agoStarting Senior Year With A Roar
As the first pep rally of the year brings Seahawks together, Chris Mjtorian reflects on the energy, traditions, and excitement of beginning senior year.
Logan Hoekman, Staffer
September 14, 2026
Sunlake brought high energy last Friday at their first pep rally. The gym was filled with school spirit, with people following the USA theme, cheering, and participating in different activities. One of the events was a rally race that gave all grades the chance to compete in front of the entire school. For this event, students had to run across the gym, grab a ball, and bring it back to their team. After retrieving the balls, the team had to grab a flag to win the race.
Christopher Mjtorian, a Senior at Sunlake, was chosen to participate in this event and was excited when he found out he was competing. Christopher said, after being selected, “My first reaction was ‘Let’s go!’ I knew it would be fun, but I also knew I had to try because everyone was watching.” Basically, he knew the event would be fun, but he also knew he had to secure the victory for the seniors. Before the race began, he focused on his speed. He said he was a bit nervous going up, but that didn’t stop him from running as fast as he could to grab the ball. After everyone completed their part, the Senior team came out on top. “I was really happy and proud to be part of the team,” Christopher said, showing the teamwork and camaraderie of the senior team.
Christopher believes the crowd made the experience even more memorable. The gym became loud and super chaotic as students cheered for their teams. “Hearing everyone shouting made the race feel much more intense,” he said. This didn’t feel like a normal pep rally. He wasn’t just watching from the crowd; he was part of the action and the chaos. For him, pep rallies are usually a fun opportunity to have fun with friends, show school spirit, and take a break from the traditional school day. Looking back, he said he will remember the USA theme, the noise of the crowd, and being part of the winning senior team. He stated, “It was a great experience, and I’m glad I got the chance to be involved.”
During Sunlake High School’s USA-themed pep rally Friday, seniors cheer from the crowd as they support their classmates during the rally’s activities. The pep rally featured games and competitions between grade levels, which riled up the crowd. (Caleb Gray)
