Carrillo strives to keep “Going Big!”
Carrillo students show spirit at a home basketball game (Photo: Curtesy of Cindy Lui)
By Sophie McGarva, staff writer
Over the past two years, Maria Carrillo High School has taken a huge step towards being one of the most spirited schools in our area. Natasha Deakins and Trevor Brady have taken charge and changed the leadership dynamic at our school, greatly increasing the amount of participation throughout campus. Currently, there are three leadership classes, but Deakins is aiming to have five someday.
The amount of spirit and participation in the last 15 months has rocketed sky-high. Our homecoming football game was the most attended game ever, with a sea of pink in the stands. The 2022 Canned Food Drive broke a Santa Rosa City Schools collection record. New spirit gear is flying off the shelves and both homecoming dances in the past two years have attended over 1,200 students. “Students are more willing to participate because the timing is right,” Deakins believes. But, with record-breaking participation throughout the school, it is still mystifying how exactly spirit finally came back to life after some very dismal years plagued by fires, air quality issues, power outages, and a global pandemic.
Students want the fun, spirited high school experience after having unconventional school experiences just a few years prior. Deakins and Brady helped students have that experience by not just helping organize events for everybody on campus but also changing the overall attitude of the campus. “The atmosphere on the campus has definitely changed. It feels more inclusive with a lot more participation”, leadership student Ashley Ngo said. Deakins said that she and Brady want Maria Carrillo High School “to be a place where people feel comfortable” and for students “to know that people care about them.” They want to help the school in ways that will positively impact the whole student body, just certain individuals. The variety of opportunities for different types of people, like video games and laser tag at dances, has helped increase participation and spirit because there is something for everyone to be a part of and enjoy.
Students at a super spirit football game (Photo: Curtesy of Cindy Lui)
The enthusiasm at Carrillo has helped the community not only inside the school but outside as well. The Canned Food Drive was able to bring food to many families' tables just in time for the holidays, and many of the clubs we have have improved the well-being of our community's families with clothes, toys, and book drives.
The many leadership students have also created a closer feeling throughout the school. There is great diversity within leadership at Maria Carrillo because there are over 100 students throughout all three classes. Senior Kylie Malm said that she has “a lot of friends in leadership and they influence [her] to participate more”. They have made a big impact on the amount of participation, especially during spirit weeks and days. Malm highlights that the amount of students already having to dress up due to being in leadership makes other students feel more comfortable to dress up because they know they won’t be the only ones. A high number of leadership students leads to a high number of students participating.
Students and cheerleaders at the pink out football game (Photo: Curtesy of Cindy Lui)
Maria Carrillo’s participation is on an uphill climb, and it definitely isn’t going to stop any time soon. Deakins and Brady have had a positive influence on the culture of Maria Carrillo High School, putting in countless hours and energy. When they say “PUMAS - LET’S GO BIG!” they put their money where their mouth is.