On January 30, 2026, Sierra Vista High School officially celebrated their new “den” system centered on student belonging, friendly competition, and school spirit. Following the methods of Ron Clark Academy and a model similar to that of Harry Potter houses, SVHS students belong to one of four Dens. Sorted into Perseverance, Respect, Involvement, or Determination, students each represent one of the P.R.I.D.E. values, where everyone embodies Excellence.
SVHS staff, sorted during summer, competed in friendly challenges throughout the first semester, earning points for their dens and learning about the den system before its release to the student body. As of the end of the first semester, the Den of Perseverance staff lead in total den points and President of Perseverance Kyonne Bryant (12) comments, “I love the perseverance den teachers because they are pioneers and just completely demolishing the other dens. I think the den system is important because it goes out of the normal grade groups, it groups students who do not normally interact with each other together and gives them an opportunity to cultivate upper and lowerclassmen friendships. I also think it mixes the teachers as well, they no longer are grouped by the subject they teach and have an opportunity to mix together!” To Kyonne Bryant, “perseverance means hard work and not giving up. It means facing obstacles and pushing through them. It means getting kicked down but never quitting.”
Throughout the school year’s first semester, Student Council hosted weekly Friday pep rallies during lunch to gradually introduce the den system. Students got to scan their ID cards, spin a digital wheel that revealed their den, and receive a den shirt. Sorted into dens with the SVHS staff during their summer workdays, Student Council members dressed in their den shirts and cheered on those choosing to get sorted while SVHS staff competed in fun lunchtime “den battles.”
Student Body Head of Spirit Alijah Santiago (12) comments on the pep rallies, “My vision for the den sorting pep rallies was to make a space that made people excited. I wanted people to see our den sorting set up and wonder what it was and be excited to be a part of something.” Santiago says that because of the den sorting pep rallies he saw that, “people were actually motivated to come to school.” Santiago further shares, “Seeing people tell their friends to get sorted so that they could be a part of something together was the whole goal and purpose of the den system. I also saw that people would wear their den shirts to school and that emphasized how much people want to represent their school pride.
In the second semester, the den pep rallies concluded as Student Council representatives prepared for the highly anticipated den assembly. During eighth period classes on January 30th, unsorted students received letters and shirts that revealed their den. Then, students excitedly headed to the gym where Student Council members, dressed head to toe in their den colors and repping different den “swag” accessories, welcomed in newly sorted students with loud enthusiasm. Kyonne Bryant (12), President of Perseverance, Jayden Heng (12), President of Respect, Zaire Bryant (12), President of Involvement, and Nora Baltera (11), President of Determination, opened the assembly with a short introduction before handing the microphone to Principal Jessica Lovell who spoke about the integration of the den system on campus. Lovell pointed out that the den system provides an outlet for belonging on campus and encourages friendly competition beyond the class level.
After Lovell spoke on the importance of the den system, the den presidents took back the mic to host den challenge games, “Head, Shoulders, Knees, Cup” and a “chant-off.” In an intense face off between Mr. Shane Gibson from the Den of Determination and Ashton Vega (10) from the Den of Respect, Vega took the win and cheering from Respect erupted in the gym. Vega shares, “It felt great to represent my den. I love coming onto stage and playing the games, so it was a lot of fun and knowing that there was a den supporting me and making it even more exciting.”
Reflecting on the win and on the influence of his den, Respect President Jayden Heng (12) shares “The true meaning of respect is seeing people as valid. Everyone has feelings, opinions, and needs, even if we don’t always agree with them. Respect means listening without judging and treating people with kindness no matter who they are. Respect goes a long way, and I think that it is important for everyone to truly understand what it means.” Heng continues, “The number one thing that I love most about my den is the people. The energy, the personalities, and the way it brings everyone together during competitions makes it special. Even if we are all different, it brings a sense of unity when we are representing our den. It pushes everyone to show school spirit and actually care.”
Following the game of “Head, Shoulders, Knees, Cup,” the assembly ended with a volume challenge where each den battled to see who could bring the loudest energy. After a close call in the first round, the den president judges narrowed the competition down to the Den of Determination and the Den of Involvement. In an eruption of intense cheering, screaming, stomping on the gym bleachers, and waving large den flags, the Den of Involvement took the victory.
President of Involvement Zaire Bryant (12) comments on his den’s success, “I love that my den is always full of energy during anything that we are doing and that we always win den battles.” Santiago, another proud member of Involvement, shares this sentiment, “I love how we are so consistently hyped! We’ve won about 4 den chant battles and it just makes me so happy to see that my den is always excited enough to always put energy into their cheering.”
Ultimately, the implementation of the den system remains a work in progress but administration and Student Council members hope that by the 2026-2027 school year, students will become fully engaged and included in their dens. Den meetings will occur monthly to include students in planning and brainstorming processes and typical class assembly seating in the gym bleachers will now transition into seating by dens. Zaire Bryant comments, “My opinion on the den system is that it’s a work in progress and it’s going good so far. I believe the den system is important because it helps get everyone participating and creates a healthy, fun, and positive place for students to be in.”
With the Den of Involvement winning yet another den challenge after a mass game of Rock, Paper, Scissors with Mardi Gras beads, friendly rivalry among the student body continues to rise and the other dens prepare to claim victory in the next challenge.
