Because this school year has seen the highest number of students in the freshman class and the number of students outnumbers seats in the gym, this issue has raised pep rally safety concerns for security officers as well as students and administrators.

According to security specialist Steph Lockhart, administrators have added seat areas during pep rallies to allow for more students to attend in a safe way. 

“I think that was the change that we needed,” Lockhart said. “We changed the seating. There is more room and everyone is spread out a little more,” 

While not all students will be able to attend pep rallies on campus, assistant principal Kevin Wilson said he hopes as many students who can go will enjoy the festivities.

“[I want] to get more teachers involved to make pep a rally a place where students want to go,” Wilson said. “Have fun, be a part of and create a culture and community.” 

Wilson said working to resolve the overcrowding issues is “an ongoing process,” and some students feel it’s taking too long. 

“I have been coming here for a while, and I feel like it has not changed,” senior Pedro Lopez said. “It was very overcrowded back in my first year. I feel like there needs to be more space for the number of kids coming.”