Paint, glitter, and tutus. From kickoff to the final whistle, the St. Pius X student section—known as the Jungle—screamed their hearts out at the Corky Kell Classic on Saturday, August 16. As the Jungle roared, the Golden Lions clawed their way to a hard-fought 15–12 victory over the Wildcats.
Behind the roar of the Jungle were weeks of planning from senior club presidents Mia Chiabotti and Lucy Frankowski, who knew they had to set the stage for a sea of school spirit.
“I think we planned it enough in advance where we could space everything out,” they explained. “We did a lot of posters. A lot of people made posters, and we got others to help too, so it wasn’t all on us.”
From body glitter to bold costumes, no two students looked alike.
“I saw some cute and fun bob wigs,” said sophomore Madeleine Velleca.
Sophomore Maggie Beck added that the wildest costume she noticed was “the blue wigs with the golden sequin skirts.”
Those flashes of creativity weren’t just for show—they fueled the excitement that poured out of the stands. Teachers and parents couldn’t help but notice how much the Jungle transformed the atmosphere.
“I think the students really showed out,” said theology teacher Mr. Matthew Lawson. “You could tell it was a big game for them. They wanted to see the team do really well, to see them win.”
Even the players on the field felt the support behind them.
“The student section enhanced our spirit toward the win. It encouraged us,” said sophomore Ryder O’Malley.
In the end, the game was more than just a win. It was a once-in-a-lifetime experience for many who were there—a memory that will be talked about for years to come. Because when it comes to what makes a game unforgettable, the answer might just be this: it’s both the players on the field and the Jungle cheering them on.
