On Wednesday, Sept. 27, Santa Fe’s annual Powderpuff event took place on the football field. From 6-9 p.m., all four grades competed against each other towards victory.
In order to increase positive energy leading up to Powderpuff, STUCO released an official hype video featuring the chosen girls who would be playing.
Powderpuff consists of an all-girls flag football team with male cheerleaders spurring them on. Aspiring players and cheerleaders alike were required to fill out a Google form on STUCO’s Instagram page and attend four practices in order to participate.
Students were required to pay a $1 entry fee, which was no deterrence for the large turnout of students that eventually showed up. Crowds of students from all grades came to cheer on their class, proving to be louder than ever in the thriving student section.
The boys were led by a small but active group of cheerleaders: Seniors Mia Miranda, Arlyn Paul, Emilee Messner, Montana Dean and juniors Reaghan White and Myra Brack. They all taught various game chants and routines to the new Powderpuff cheerleading squad.
“The guys were super excited to learn how to cheer and loved putting each other in stunts,” Miranda said. “My favorite part of coaching them was how willing they were to try new things.”
The first game was played by the freshman and junior classes, with the juniors coming out on top. The next game was played by the sophomores and seniors, with the seniors taking the win.
For the final round, the upperclassmen faced off against each other for the ultimate conquest. Senior Zoey Battles, later announced as HOCO queen, was the star of the senior class team. Battles ran down the field at full speed, earning touchdown after touchdown for the seniors. The games were strictly no-contact, so the girls had to get creative with their plays.
“I played running back, and it felt great to win my last year participating in the event,” Battles said. “Being able to get to know the other seniors was also very fun.”
Zoey’s courageous efforts proved successful in the end, with the class of 2024 slamming the juniors. The seniors reigned supreme, gaining recognition as the 2023 Powderpuff champions.
