Dance Force and Cheer seniors share their bittersweet feelings on their last Homecoming game. In their last game of something that has been part of them for 4 years, these seniors share the excitement, happiness, and sadness of knowing that after Friday nights of HoCo, another chapter will soon close.

By. Heidi Dilsaver and Graciella Nava

With the end of what was once a beginning, their freshman years started it all, and senior year closes the Homecoming chapter. Whether it was the cheering in the student section or on the field, challenges were faced, and memories were made. Making it to the field, keeping students entertained, and cheering for our team.

A four-year member and one of this year’s Captains on Dance Force, Tysie Tisthammer ‘27, said, “I am kind of happy, but also a little sad because it’s my last and I just enjoy Hoco so much.”

Homecoming and Cowhide are the most memorable and looked-forward-to games of the season, which makes them a bittersweet and difficult part of all four years of high school to leave behind. The long games of hanging out with friends, cheering on Redwood, and waiting for the next touchdown are and will always be things high schoolers remember.

Ava Reynolds ‘27, Dance Force Captain, said her favorite part of Hoco is “Getting to dance with my team.”

A team isn’t just some random people you dance with and see every once in a while. A team is a tight-knit group of people who, over time, become not just best friends, but family. So leaving, and not knowing when you’ll all be together again, is heavy. 

Hoco is an exciting place where you can look back and see all the memories made, so when it comes to being a last, it is bittersweet.

Ava also said, “It’s like that Bittersweet feeling because Hoco is a big game, kind of like Cowhide, so it’s kind of bittersweet, kind of exciting because it’s the last, so you get that Bittersweet feeling like, oh, it’s the last time.” 

Though the last can be sad, it is also about excitement and getting the students hyped for the game. Throughout the game, most feelings are clouded by adrenaline and that feeling of excitement. Towards the end, people realize it’s getting close to the actual wind-up. 

Everyone is excited for Homecoming; the theme is one everyone loves, and everyone can’t wait for Redwood to win the game.

Cheerleader Autumn Flores ‘27 said, “ I’m very excited. I think this year is going to be fun; everyone is very hyped, and I love the theme.”

Every cheerleader, every dancer on the team is working hard, keeping energy high, letting the students get hyped up, and playing off of that energy. Though everyone always has a favorite part of the games. It could be the food or cheering on the team, or maybe even the environment and hanging out with people who make you happy.

Well, we do really care if we win the game; the outcome doesn’t really matter, though we are very confident in our players and their talents. This last Hoco is where we make some very special memories, and for the seniors, it will close out their last Hoco.

Heidi Dilsaver
Heidi Dilsaver
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Heidi is a 2030 graduate and a reporter for the Redwood Gigantea. She is so excited to be covering Arts and Entertainment!! She is passionate about dance and anything that has to do with art. She really can't wait for a year full of stories.

Graciella Nava
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Graciella Nava, '30, is a freshman journalist for the Gigantea. She enjoys converting entertainment, arts, and topics that give students a chance to share their perspectives. She is excited to continue improving her writing and making stories that people want to read. If you want to reach her, just email her at [email protected].

 

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