She’s been Pep Flags Captain for three years, leading her cheery ensemble through games and competitions. But while this will be the last year for senior Anna Yu to hold that position, the wonderful memories more than make up for the sadness in leaving.
Anna originally joined Pep Flags as a freshman, never expecting to become the head of the group for the next year and the years following. And while leading unwilling and doubtful upperclassmen was difficult as a sophomore, Anna looked forward positively and confidently dealt with the situation. Constant pep talks, carefully peppered with sensible and useful advice, finally brought the team together.
Since then, Anna has become the ideal leader. She and many of her current teammates agree that “everything gets easier with experience”—including giving words of advice. Her advice keeps “everyone motivated and striving to be the best they can [be],” enabling the team’s spirits to stay high and energetic. Which is, of course, important for a pep team.
Pep Flags now has high hopes for the next couple of months, as it begins to compete at events in and around Southern California. With a routine choregraphed by a collaborative team effort, the group will first exhibit its talent at the USA Regionals on Jan. 24. Two weeks later, Pep Flags will also compete at the SHARP Tournament on Feb. 13. And, if successful at the January regionals, Pep Flags may just have the chance to move on to Nationals on Mar. 26.
It will be hard for Pep Flags to imagine a group without their devoted captain Anna Yu. But even if she may not officially be there to encourage them on, Anna’s legacy will continue past her graduation.

If one of your New Year’s resolutions included being able to enjoy an appetizing spaghetti dinner and receiving performances from some of AHS’ performing groups at an affordable price, then there was no need to look any further. The 2009-2010 Spaghetti Dinner performance at the AHS Cafeteria and North Gym featured a multitude of Marching Band, Colorguard, and Percussion talents that dazzled the audience.
Members of  the Marching Band, Colorguard, and Percussion advertised sales for Spaghetti Dinner tickets. For only $8, family and friends were given the opportunity to catch a performance on Saturday, Jan. 16 from 4:00 to 10:30 p.m. Upon arriving and presenting their Spaghetti Dinner tickets, attendees were ushered into the AHS Cafeteria to receive their serving of spaghetti. Afterwards, audience members proceeded to the North Gym to watch any one of the three shows at 5:00, 7:00, or 9:00 p.m.
Band members proudly presented their performance, including songs “Star Spangled Banner,” “Shine Down,” “Can You Feel the Love Tonight,” “Wonderful One,” their parade march “Rifle Regiment,” and their field show with “Opener,” “Spices, Perfumes, and Toxins,” and “Closer.” Senior Band member Mandy Chan remarked on how excited she was to perform the field show music because “it’s been a while since [they’ve] performed the show...playing the music makes [her] nostalgic, thinking about the season and how it will be unforgettable.” In the background, a slideshow filled with pictures of this past season was played as Band performed “Can You Feel the Love Tonight.” On top of performing a duet on the trumpet and the French horn for field show, senior Pep Band leaders Casey Young and Michael Kallin led Pep Band in an additional performance of Michael Jackson’s “Thriller.” Along with their field show performance with Band, Percussion members also premiered a glimpse into their 2010 indoor show, “Legend.” Using rifles, sabers, dance, and swing flag, Colorguard, also impressed with their field show performance.
Wednesday, Jan. 13, marked the official Spaghetti Dinner rehearsal for all the Spaghetti Dinner performers. From 6:00 to 9:00 p.m., every performer was perfecting and polishing his or her finalized performances in the North Gym. Dedicated Colorguard members also rehearsed during their class periods to make their performance flawless. Percussion practice schedules included Mondays from 3:00 to 6:00 p.m., Wednesdays from 5:00 to 9:00 p.m., and 3:00 to 4:30 p.m. on Fridays. Band members also devoted much of their time prepping the Spaghetti Dinner music and drill downs. Because of their numerous practices, senior Colorguard Captain Katherine Chin was glad that they all “had an opportunity to perform the shows and routines that [they had] been working on in the fall season, indoors where [their] family and friends [were] able to witness all the hard work that [they had] invested.”
To many seniors, the Spaghetti Dinner  symbolized the end of their AHS Band, Colorguard, or Percussion experience. According to Casey, the Spaghetti Dinner was a time “of celebrating the end of the season, reflecting on  [their] achievements... [and] also a time for [their] friends and family to see [their] final product after a season of hard work and progress from the start of summer.” Recalling the memorable season, senior Band Historian Felicia Choi looked forward to “ending this season strong with this final performance.” Senior Jessica Chee, Colorguard squad leader, also reflected on her feelings, saying that because “this [was her] last Spaghetti Dinner, [she had hoped to] end the field show season strong [with] a perfect performance.” Positively acknowledging her last performance, senior Colorguard squad leader Janice Eo said she had “just [wanted to] have fun and show what [she had] been working on.”
With the last performance behind them, the seniors now pass the reins on to the underclassmen. A new season budding with the new year, we can only anticipate what new performances will be showcased in the future.