TEMECULA – Every school has its own student section that represents the school spirit, but only a few stand out from the rest. The Chaparral High School Puma Pit is one such section, which has made history by being named the Best National Student Section by The Student Section Report. After renovating and rebranding the Puma Pit, Chaparral High School has seen a tremendous increase in its campus climate and culture.
Before this year, Chaparral’s student section generated school spirit, but might have lacked the uniqueness that made it stand out from other schools’ student sections. Andrew Ramer, the head football coach, and the Puma Pit’s student leaders spent months collaborating to rebrand the section. Their goal was to create a new identity that would boost campus morale and unite students across sports and extracurricular activities.
The Puma Pit’s approach to student engagement has been instrumental in their success. They organized tailgates before football games, painted faces in the school colors, and hosted spirit weeks throughout the year. The pit leaders also made an effort to learn every sport’s cheers and organize student sections at non-football games to offer support. They fostered a sense of responsibility among students to show up and support their fellow classmates.
Another factor that contributed to the Puma Pit’s success was their unwavering support for the football team. The Puma Pit flooded the bleachers with loud, unified cheers at football games, making it impossible for the opposing team to ignore them. This support did not go unnoticed by the Puma football program, who fought harder on the field knowing their classmates had their backs. Chaparral ended up taking second place in the Big West Conference North Division, advancing to round one of the Division 2 playoffs where they fell to Oaks Christian.
According to the Athletic Department, “It’s a community, not just a student section.”
What sets the Puma Pit apart from other student sections across the country is the welcoming community they’ve created. Student leaders try to connect with every student on campus, from athletes to artists, and everyone in between. They make sure everyone feels included in the Pit’s activities and encourages students to attend not only football games but also basketball, track, and every other sport. They’ve made the Puma Pit an all-inclusive movement.
The Puma Pit has set a new standard for student sections across the country. By focusing on student engagement, a powerful sense of community, and unwavering support for their sports teams, the Puma Pit has created an electric atmosphere that has elevated their campus’s climate and culture. It’s a reminder that school spirit is not just a pastime, but a unifying force that brings students together. The school as a whole is now a prime example of how a well-run student section can contribute to a school’s success, on and off the field. Congratulations to the Puma Pit on being recognized as the Best National Student Section! Find out more at www.studentsectionreport.com.
JP Raineri can be reached by email at sports@reedermedia.com.
