SPIRITS HIGH LION, FAIRY STIR UP ANNUAL SAUGUS RALLY.

Byline: Carol Rock Staff Writer

SAUGUS - Sammy Centurion got a little help from a flying Ferry and a not-so-cowardly lion Friday during Saugus High School's homecoming rally.

In a spoof of ``Peter Pan,'' popular Assistant Principal Frank Ferry - also a Santa Clarita councilman - ``flew'' across the gym, clad in fairy wings and sprinkling magic dust from two KFC buckets.

``This year's homecoming will surpass any previous notions of a normal homecoming,'' said Robert Belue, director of the Associated Student Body. ``This year's ASB and administration have taken great efforts to guarantee that this year's homecoming is beyond all expectations and truly takes all attendees, young and old, back to their childhood because it's never too late to be a kid.''

Belue wanted to do something really different to fire up student spirit, so in keeping with the theme of ``Forever Young,'' rally commissioner Bryan McMurray dressed as Peter Pan and faced off with Belue, who, with the help of a harness, ``flew'' over the bleachers dressed as Captain Hook. After the requisite sword fight and capture of the Saugus spirit flag by football coach Kevin Miner, who flew in dressed as Hook's cohort Smee, the spirit of an ancient centurion was summoned by dozens of cheerleaders.

After their routine, the gym fell silent and out walked Principal Bill Bolde, clad in a white toga, followed by Jabari, a 3 1/2-year-old lion. When Bolde leaned to stroke the lion's mane, Jabari put his head up and nuzzled Bolde's chest, proving even the king of the jungle likes his head rubbed. While Bolde and Jabari stood in the center of the gym, the homecoming court was introduced. Warned not to clap to avoid startling the lion, students waved their hands in the air to show their support.

Once Bolde and Jabari left the floor, the volume went up again and spirit teams rocked the gym. But the crowning moment came when the characters Peter and Wendy summoned their favorite fairy, and the crowd went wild.

Above was Ferry, in Saugus-blue tights and sparkling wings with his buckets of silver dust. He hovered over the gym floor - no small feat for a big guy - and pelted Hook and Smee with Twinkies and Ding Dongs before a crowd of screaming and cheering students. Ferry then ``flew off'' as a set of fireworks erupted against the back wall of the gym.

Jabari's trainer, Sid Yost, said this was the first appearance in a high school gym for the lion, who was reluctant at first to walk out on the floor. ``He'd be much more calm in the end zone out on the football field during the game,'' Yost said. ``But he's the only African lion in Hollywood that could have done this rally.''

Carol Rock, [phone]

carol.rock(at)dailynews.com

CAPTION(S):

6 photos

Photo:

(1 -- color) Saugus High's cheerleaders perform at the school's homecoming rally on Friday, which featured a ``Peter Pan'' theme.

(2 -- color) Santa Clarita Councilman Frank Ferry, who is the school's assistant principal, soars over the gym in magical garb on Friday spreading fairy dust from KFC buckets.

(3) Trainer Sid Yost leads Jabari the lion out for the rally with a chain as the crowd avoids clapping to keep the animal calm.

(4 -- 5) Saugus High students, above, show off their chests, painted with letters of a classmate's name. At right, mascot Sammy Centurion, right, duels coach Kevin Miner.

(6) Principal Bill Bolde, clad in a toga, prepares to call the names of Saugus High students at the pep rally as the lion Jabari stands in the background on Friday.

John Lazar/Staff Photographer