Student Sections are the heartbeat of school spirit. They’re where students gather in the stands to cheer, chant, and create an energy that fuels both the players on the field and the crowd around them. At Norwalk High that group has a name. The Bear Pack.
But building a strong student section doesn’t just happen over night. It takes years of tradition, dedicated leaders, and students willing to show up, get loud, and set the tone for everyone else.
The Bear Pack has been a part of Norwalk High School for decades. Dean of students and Norwalk alum Mr. Anastasia remembers what it was like in the 90s. If you didn’t show up early to a basketball game, you weren’t getting in. That’s how packed the stands would get. “The teams going to FCIAC championships really helped amp the spirit” he recalled, but it was the student section who brought the electric atmosphere.
That spirit has always been passed down. Each year, the outgoing Bear Pack leaders hand pick the new ones, creating a chain of leadership. Last year, Ava Gigliotti and Dalton Bury were chosen to lead, and when the time came to pick 2025-26 leaders, they knew exactly who to turn to. This year’s leaders are Ava Oustafine and Josh Todd.
When asked what made them the best fit, Ava G explained: “Dalton and I decided on Ava and Josh because they are both super outgoing and always showed up to mostly all the games being loud and dressed in theme. They are also able to get the crowd to have fun and we could imagine them making the pep rally’s super fun. Overall, we chose them because they get loud, they’re outgoing, funny, get along well with everyone, responsible, and showed a lot of school spirit over the last 3 years that they were standing in the student section.”
Now, as the leaders, Josh and Ava are ready to step into the spotlight. “Being a Bear Pack leader means getting everyone involved. I want freshmen, sophomores, everyone to feel like they can be part of the energy. This year, Josh and I tried something new. We posted all the upcoming themes for the football games at the beginning of the season. This really helps people be prepared so they could come ready to the games in theme.” Ava tells us. “A good Bear Pack leader has to be loud, but also positive. Even if the score isn’t going our way, the section can’t go silent that’s when the team needs us the most.” Josh explains.
For Ava and Josh, stepping into leadership is more, than just leading chants, it’s about building something that lasts. They want to make the Bear Pack a place where every student feels welcome. That means planning creative themes, bringing spirit to pep rallies, and making sure no one feels left out of the fun.
The Bear Pack has never been one person, one game, or even one year. It’s about generations of students who show up, stand together, and create something bigger than themselves. With leaders like Ava and Josh stepping up that tradition isn’t just being carried it’s being built stronger than ever.
