Article by: Sid Zaragoza

Photo by: Jose Barragan

The Bell Game at Valencia High School is the most hyped football game of the school year, pitting the Valencia Tigers against the El Dorado Hawks. But what exactly makes the Bell Game so memorable? One answer is the community. The combined effort of Valencia’s marching band, color guard, cheerleading squad, dance team, and ASB helps to ensure that the Bell Game is a special event, whether Valencia’s football team wins or loses. 

Marching band member Kevin Luciano (9) explains the role of Valencia’s marching band in the Bell Game, “The band contributes to the Bell Game in general by hyping everyone with the music, and it's supposed to motivate the players when they're on the field.” An example of this is when the marching band performs their halftime show performance. Luciano believes the marching band, along with other student organizations, help build school spirit with their activities and traditions because “it all involves students to support the school.” Even if Valencia ends up losing, Luciano describes how the shared experience at the Bell Game allows everyone to participate in the fun and spirit of supporting their school together.

Color guard member Amia Arbuckle (9) explains that the color guard contributes to the Bell Game by interpreting the band's music and telling a story, making the halftime show a richer experience. “Color guard works with the band to deliver the soundtrack of game day and fuel excitement as well as build anticipation, including their performances to spirit-lifting tunes,” she says. Arbuckle believes that color guard plays a vital role in enhancing the Bell Game by transforming the event into a dynamic showcase of school spirit. This allows students to be immersed in a collective experience and creates a strong feeling of community.

Audrey Randall (9), a member of Valencia’s cheer team, states that the cheer team’s role is crucial to building the typical high school football game experience. Randall elaborates, “The role the cheerleaders play in energizing the crowd and enhancing the Bell Game experience is that they have signs, do flips, perform at halftime, and do stunt pyramids to get the crowd fired up.” The cheer team also performs at the Bell Game assembly. Randall emphasizes how the cheer team and other student sections boost the football team’s confidence. 

Dance team member Jonah Valtairo (11) shares that the dance team plays a key role in creating the Bell Game experience and encouraging broader student participation. He says that the dance team provides “a performance that’s a different atmosphere from the game.” Not only that, but Valtario adds, “The dance team helps energize and motivate the crowd [with] a very high-energy performance that will hopefully rebuild the crowd's energy to cheer on the football team.” Valtario claims that the Bell Game fosters a sense of pride due to ASB and all the students putting in so much effort into the event. 

ASB member Evan Kim (9) explains that ASB helps coordinate the event through all the decorations, which must be set up beforehand. They also help organize the Bell Game assembly. At the Bell Game, ASB leads chants, hands out props (sunglasses, light wands, etc.), and carries out traditions like the touchdown push up board tradition, where they “bring out the big wooden plank for someone to do as many pushups as they can while everyone in the crowd counts up.” Kim explains, “ASB strives to be the ones with the most energy and support for all the football players, no matter what happens.” The encouragement from ASB not only motivates the football players, but also the crowd to foster community spirit.

The Bell Game is the biggest football game of the school year at Valencia High School. The students interviewed state that this is because the Bell Game helps build pride, belonging, and hope among students. For example, Kim asserts, “The Bell Game affects students by creating memorable moments that will be forever cherished as well as creating new bonds and experiencing the joy and craziness of Valencia's student section.” Another view is that, “The Bell game will have a lasting impact on students by giving students an opportunity to look back at what an amazing experience they had at Valencia High School,” which Valtairo suggests. To create such a meaningful experience stems from the combined work of all the student sections. As a result, the students believe the Bell Game leaves a positive lasting impact on the school community as a whole, whether it culminates in a victory or a loss.

Article and Photo by: Elliot Herrera  

Dodgeball is one of those crazy, heart racing games that one would have to really think on their feet in order to play it and react quickly enough to make a decision in the moment in dodgeball. In the game, as simple as it sounds-from a broad viewpoint-it teaches an interestingly intricate mix of skills-giving emphasis on agility, teamwork, strategy, and quick reflexes. A place where players will need to dodge, throw, and catch a ball in the high-energy environment in which every one of their moves counts and every second matters. The game never stops, nor does its action: just keeps flowing back into the in-between, putting everyone on the edge of their seats, high in the excitement and suspense atmosphere. At the same time, dodgeball has transcended its value as a competitive sport at Valencia High School; it has come to be regarded as a cherished tradition and another activity unifying the entire school community. Through this event, fundraiser, or just friendly game among friends, students and teachers have a special love for the game, bringing to their hearts a beat. It means athleticism, friendly competition, and bonding. Accessibility is its strong point- anyone, be it skilled or novice, is bound to have fun involving himself or herself in this game. The big message is that no matter if you are a seasoned pro or a newcomer to the game, there will always be room for everyone to participate, learn, and have fun in the process. It happened on March 7 this 2025, Students from Valencia High School will congregate in New Gym at 6:00 p.m. right after school for a spectacular match of dodgeball. To unwind, relax, and have some fun after a long day of classes, this event promises to serve as a perfect opportunity. As students unite to enjoy friendly competition, camaraderie, and the enthusiasm that comes with this classic game, the gym will come alive with energy, excitement, and school spirit. The atmosphere will be electric, with sounds of laughter mingling with cheers and the occasional thud of a dodgeball hitting its target. For those interested in displaying their athletic skills or just want to have a night of entertainment, it should be an event not to be missed. Yet the games of dodgeball are more about the sport; they really bring people together and foster the development of community among students. It does bundle together people from different walks of life, and it would be so much fun to witness them making strenuous efforts at athletics and quick thinking teamwork. Both outside the gym walls and within its walls, cliques disintegrate, social structures collapse, and students can use the time to meet new people and bond together with their classmates while encouraging friends in a positive, inclusive environment. An enjoyable tradition brought to school sports at Valencia is every dodgeball competition. There is everything from impressive competition to funny mistakes. It's almost impossible not to smell and feel the joy and connection in the air. Dodgeball at Valencia isn't confined to a couple of matches dodgeball tournaments have developed an annual tradition, along with tournament matches during school assemblies. Whether one's rocking it out on a beg scale or small, impromptu game, at the heart of it all is having a fun time, staying active, and capturing moments spent with friends and classmates. Ultimately, this is more than just a game. Dodgeball is celebrating what school spirit means, enjoying physical activities, and the story bonds students create with one another. These games are about staying active, getting involved in school events, and building a strong, supportive community. Even further, they offer opportunities for students to use up some steam, showcase their skills, and cheer each other on in a fun but low-pressure environment. It's also great to experience the really unique sense of school pride that Valencia breeds into its students. So whether you are throwing the ball or dodging a fast moving shot, or simply cheering from the sidelines, grab a ball and don't let this exciting opportunity to be part of the excitement. Gather the friends you need, get the ball, and come and join in the fun the dodgeball games at Valencia are just getting started, and best of all, everyone is invited