Coral Gables Senior High stepped away from its alma mater and turned pink on Oct. 2; but it was not about school spirit, it was around saving lives. As students formed in lines at 6:50 a.m. to gain wristbands for $5 their cheers at the pink pep rally echoed a greater cause: the fight against breast cancer. Beyond the activities and dance performances, the annual gymnasium celebration held a constant reminder of the battle faced by millions of women across the globe.

Understanding the Cause

Breast cancer remains one of the most common cancers among women in the U.S., affecting one in eight females being diagnosed during their lifetime. Though treatment methods have improved significantly since the start of Breast Cancer Awareness Month in 1985, research in finding a future cure continues to play an important role.

Through the pep rally being organized by student activities, the funds raised during the event will support the United Way breast cancer research initiative, which aims to conduct new studies and for every woman impacted and in need of assistance. In 2022, United Way raised $308 million, allocating some of its donations towards early detection screenings and access to life-saving therapies. For many Cavaliers, the pep rally held significance in their personal lives.

As someone who has seen what it’s like to fight through a disease like breast cancer from a familial perspective, my aunt, I can tell you that bringing awareness to this topic was truly an amazing issue to shine light onto. I appreciate our school’s efforts to keep its students aware and supportive of those who are fighting through the battle of breast cancer,” senior Melissa Sosa said.

“It’s always a good feeling that this cause is helping the community out. Throughout my two years so far in Gables, I have done alot of community service. It’s a gratifying feeling to know that you’re doing not because you have to, but you want to help out in another way in a tragic issue,” sophomore Rachel Velez said.

Coming Together

Following the first poster-pep rally on Sept. 13, Cavaliers showed up on campus with frenzy shades of pink. At 1:40 p.m., assistant principal Ms. Leyte-Vidal came on the intercom, announcing the release of students with a pink wristband. As the auditorium bleachers were soon filled, Masters of the Ceremony Melissa Gonzalez and Tiffany Beh came to the center to thank students for supporting the cause.

Before beginning the series of events planned for the next 40 minutes, the “Cavaliers Band of Distinction” marched in and played a setlist of songs on a fast tempo. With the energy growing inside the building, student activities’ own “Hype Crew” emerged to continue the excitement coming from the crowd.

“I think being in the Hype Crew really is about having that adrenaline rush. As the pep rally continues throughout, you run with pure adrenaline. You have to really get pumped and have the energy to pass it off the crowd. We have to make sure they feel the excitement about the pep rally. That’s what I love about being in student activties,” senior Sebastian Druck said.

Soon after, Gables’s “Cav Man” senior Sky Carrizo ran into the auditorium holding up his sword as “Cav Boy” freshman David Orozco waved a pink flag, symbolizing the theme of the pep rally. Following suit, the cheerleaders began performing their stunts of mixes revolving around jumping mid-air and cheers.

While the cheerleaders ended with a group pose, they immediately retracted to their original positions, allowing the audience to dance their feet away. The first activity had begun a TikTok dance battle between all grade levels.

As the MCs picked a student to represent their grade level, the game was simple: to recall their early teenage self TikTok dancing to popular sounds used in 2020. With nostalgic memories running through Cavaliers’ minds like the “Renegade Dance” the finale ended up going head-to-head with senior Jaden Cespedes going against fellow senior Victor Fialhoribeiro.

Showing off their moves, the MCs kept the students not playing involved in the loop by cheering for the winner. In the end, senior Cespedes convinced the fired-up Cavaliers that his dances were top-tier.

Keeping up the spirit, the Gablettes moved to the center to perform their synchronized dance moves with the music. Finishing their act, in a surprise, senior Owen Anders worked with the Gabelettes on a homecoming proposal for senior Victoria Sosa. Following a fever of awws from the audience, the pep rally transitioned into its final stages with one last game of music chairs.

With an added rule of dancing, the selected students from the MCs walked around the chairs as the music played. Soon after the game stopped, the crowd from both sides of the gymnasium was split on a winner, but senior Ashera Sands stood out amongst the rest as she continued to dance despite being eliminated.

To finish off the pep rally, the Cavaliers all recited the Alma Mater, facing and pointing to the words on the gymnasium’s wall. With both performers and attendees coming together to end the pep rally, students left with more than just memories of a fun-filled day. Instead, they left with the knowledge that they had contributed to something far greater: a movement toward a future where breast cancer no longer threatens lives like today.

“This is the second pep rally that I went this year and it was a way to connect the school and advocate for breast cancer. It was honestly amazing to see everybody come together and show their solidarity in pink clothing,” senior Katherine Barboza said.