September 10, Friday evening at 6:30, the traditional Homecoming parade occurred in the Mineral King Bowl between the JV and varsity football games.
The last parade being in 2019, students decorated cars then instead of golf carts as the original route was around Redwood High School rather than around the track.
Despite the change in the usual routine, 22 of Redwood’s clubs and extracurriculars both decorated a golf cart to drive, while others marched in astonishing costumes to represent their club, and their Disney theme to go along with the theme for Homecoming week.
There were three winners for the parade categorized as “Best Overall,” “Most Creative,” and “Most Spirited.”
The winner for “Best Overall” float was AVID. Their theme was Monsters University to go along with the Disney theme for the week.
According to Eric Chavez, ’22 AVID’s Vice-President, the club decided on Monsters University as the theme to tie in with the college aspect of it all.
The club planned throughout the week prior to Homecoming, and collaborated with each other to make the float the best it could be, according to Chavez.
In regards to winning “Best Overall,” Chavez says, “It feels great knowing our hard work was recognized, and I am happy to share our victory with my AVID family.”
The winner for “Most Creative” was Future Farmers of America (FFA). Their theme was “Disney Gone Western” where the members dressed as Disney characters, but made it western style.
FFA member, Jackson Coon, ’23 had a big part in the planning of the float. According to him, the club met with their advisor, Mr. Coon to decide their theme. Instead of a regular golf cart, the club had a Gator which they used to decorate in spite of their western theme.
Coon says, “We figured to go simple, and just put our own spin on Disney as a whole, and dress people up, and make it western… our style in Ag.”
Expressing their club and class with their float was a good way to “get to showcase what we do here in Ag,” expresses Coon.
Finally, the winner for “Most Spirited” was Drama.
During varsity’s half-time, there were a total of three performances before the great reveal of who the 2021-2022 Homecoming Queen, and first-ever King would be. These performances included (in order) varsity cheer, band, and Dance Force.
Prior to the reveal, nominee, Ailina Fernandez, ’22 shares her thoughts on being a part of the Top 5 and her experience throughout the whole week, “It’s very scary. I didn’t expect it [being nominated] at all… I’m not really a popular person, so I didn’t think I’d get this far.”
Acknowledging the fact that this is the first year in Redwood’s history to have Top 5 King nominees, Daniel Padilla, ’22 has the honor of being one of the five. He says, “I think it’s really important to celebrate both male, and female excellence… it’s fun being down here on the track with everyone else in their pretty dress, and pretty tuxes.”
Nominee, Alayla Ayala, ’22 in regards to how she felt being a part of the court says, “I am so overwhelmed with love, excitement- I’m probably the happiest I’ve ever been… it’s so amazing to be a part of this.”
King nominee, Jackson Ford, ’22 says, “I feel like it’s really cool that people put me in this position, and I actually really didn’t expect it, so it’s really exciting.”
Nominee, Alysa Betiong, ’22 before the reveal says, “It’s been so fun… I loved giving out my friendship bracelets… it made me create new bonds, and new friendships.”
Ethan Griffiths, ’22 was not only a King nominee, but he also played in the varsity football game, so he could not participate in the parade, or take pictures beforehand.
Griffiths says, “it’s a really unique thing, you know. You get to do it individually, and it’s a lot more exciting to run individually because it’s more personal.”
For the grand reveal, the 10 nominees lined up to face the student section with Disney movie, Up-themed miniature houses to open, awaiting the expected green and orange balloons that would tell two of the nominees that they are this year’s Homecoming Queen and King.
As the nominees all opened their houses, there it was- the prominent orange and green balloons that stood apart from all of the other white balloons. And these balloons flew out of Brianna Abney and Eczequiel Jaurrieta’s houses- this year’s Homecoming Queen and King.
After winning this year’s Homecoming Queen, Abney heartily said, “It’s an amazing feeling, honestly… it’s an honor.”
“I want to say thank you to Redwood, thank you to my team that made this possible for me- I wouldn’t have been able to do it without them.”
Brianna Abney, 2021-2022 Homecoming Queen
The first ever Homecoming King in history, Jaurrieta says, “I feel amazing. It’s like if fireworks are going off in my body… It feels so good, I love it. I love the atmosphere here, let’s keep it going for the rest of the years.”
“Don’t be afraid to put yourself out there, like I did this week. You know, have fun in high school, that’s what it’s all about.”
Eczequiel Jaurrieta, First Ever Homecoming King
Concerning the Homecoming Queen and King, nominee, Fernandez says, “I’m really proud of them, I’m really happy they got it… Bri [Abney] teared up a little bit… and I was so happy for all of them.”
Fernandez adds, “I would like to thank everyone that supported me… I want to congratulate Zeek [Jaurrieta] and Brianna, I love everyone so much… and everyone’s a King and Queen.”
Nominee, Padilla says in regards to Jaurrieta, “I’m really proud of Eczequiel. Honestly, he went all out, so I’m not surprised he won… he really deserved it.”
To Jaurrieta and Abney, nominee, Ayala says, “They deserve it. I mean, they obviously won for a reason. You know, I think it’s amazing that we actually have people going for it- they actually want to win, and that’s what we need. We need people to get involved.”
Sydney Brammer
Sydney Brammer, '22 is currently in her fourth year writing for the Redwood Gigantea. She has a strong passion for featuring the humans of Redwood, and enjoys putting the spotlight on the underdog. She has written for the Visalia Times Delta and Sungazette Sports. You can reach her by email at sydneybr17@gmail.com.
Tags: clubs & lifestyles, homecoming, homecoming king, homecoming nominees, homecoming parade, homecoming queen, homecoming week 2021, jasmine luna, Redwood, redwood gigantea, redwood journalism, redwood rangers, sydneybrammer
