During the Homecoming Rally on Tuesday, September 7, the Top 5 Homecoming Queen nominees were announced: Alayla Ayala, Jocelyn Silva, Alysa Betiong, Brianna Abney, and Ailina Fernandez.
Photo courtesy of Katelyn Weddle
Nominee, Alaya Ayala, ‘22 was nominated by Ranger TV. When asked how it felt to be nominated, Ayala says, “[she] can’t describe the feeling that [she was] having.”
Ayala is “extremely thankful and blessed to have many friends in [her] senior class, and [she] feel[s] very honored to represent the senior class, and to represent [her] club, Ranger TV.”
Ayala has been a part of Ranger TV for three years. During her time in this club, she has found a love for being in front of the camera, has learned a lot, and has become a leader through her executive producer role.
Ayala has also been involved in Varsity Cheer for four years as well as ASB for two years. She has also participated in a handful of clubs during her time at Redwood.
Ayala feels that “becoming a part of the top ten will help [her] be more out there with [her] class. And not just [her] class, but for everyone.”
Ayala wants to “reach out more to everyone and make sure that everyone loves it here [Redwood], and that we all have a good time during this week and future weeks to come.”
Ayala ends with sharing her excitement for all of the dress-up days, and the games throughout the rest of Homecoming week.
Photo courtesy of Katelyn Weddle
Nominee, Jocelyn Silva, ‘22 was nominated by Redwood Softball. Silva admits that “[she] feel[s] very grateful; [she] really didn’t expect to make it this far so [she’s] very surprised.”
Silva has competed in Redwood Softball for two years, but she has been playing softball for almost her whole life.
Silva also participates in the F.I.D.M. Fashion Club and the Blaze Club.
Homecoming Queen has never been a goal of Silva’s, as she has never really thought about it before.
With a change in tradition, there are no longer escorts, but instead Homecoming King nominees. Silva says, “I am happy they changed it, I think that we should appreciate the kings and the queens.”
When asked about what she is looking forward to this week, Silva says, “I am definitely looking forward [to] Friday because [they] made really cute campaign shirts and [she is] excited to pass them out to everyone who want[s] them.”
Photo courtesy of Katelyn Weddle
Nominee, Alysa Betiong, ‘22 was nominated by Hip-Hop Club. Betiong says that making Top 5 “feels unrealistic, honestly. It’s really exciting but [she] wasn’t expecting it.”
Betiong has been a part of Hip Hop for two years. She is the Vice President for Hip Hop, and in this club, students “come together and learn new dances.”
Along with her commitment to Hip Hop, Betiong has participated in track for four years, cross country for two years, along with clubs such as Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA), Fashion Club, and Climate Club.
Homecoming Queen “wasn’t specifically a goal, but it was a little bit of a dream. [She] never thought [she] would get Top 5, or in the range of Homecoming Queen, so now it’s a dream,” expresses Betiong.
Betiong did not realize that Homecoming King was not a part of the tradition in previous years, so she feels “it’s pretty cool, there are more participants.”
Betiong ends by saying that she has met many new people while “[she] started giving out friendship bracelets for [her] campaign.”
Photo courtesy of Katelyn Weddle
Nominee, Brianna Abney, ‘22 was nominated by Varsity Cheer. Abney says that “[she is] honestly really grateful and blessed to be in the Top 5.”
Abney has been in Redwood Cheer all four years of high school. Along with cheer, Abney is a part of numerous clubs and activities including: Coffee club, International and Advanced Dance, and a few other clubs.
Abney says that Homecoming Queen has been a goal for her, “but it has never been a realistic thing to [her]. [She’s] just honestly grateful to be in the Top 5.”
Like the other nominees, Abney is not worried about the lack of escorts.
Looking at the whole week, Abney is very excited to watch the parade, and the Homecoming game as, “[she] thinks it will be fun.”
Photo courtesy of Katelyn Weddle
Nominee, Ailina Fernandez, ‘22 was nominated by the senior class. Fernandez says that “[she feels] so surprised, [she] didn’t think this would happen at all. Though [she’s] not a popular person, [she] enjoys talking to everyone around [her], so [she] think that’s what helped get [her] this spot.”
Fernandez says that Homecoming Queen was never a goal of hers as she was a tomboy coming into high school. She even admits that “if [she] told [her] freshman year self [she] got Top 5, she’d think [she] was lying.”
“The past years have taught me to just do fun things. Even the cliche high school parts,” says Fernandez.
Fernandez views Homecoming King as “a fun way to get way more people involved with the boys being a part of it. Though [she’s] not too close with the girls, having Jackson Ford, ’22 nominated with [her] is super fun!”
Finally, Fernandez is looking forward to the Homecoming parade at the end of the week. It will be nice to “have some sense of normal back after a year of tragedy, though things will never be the exact same, this is a good start.”
Voting for the Homecoming Queen and King will open Friday morning.
The 2021-2022 Homecoming Queen and King will both be announced Friday, September 10 at the Varsity football game which starts at 7:30 pm against Tulare Western.
Katelyn Weddle
Katelyn Weddle '23 is a third year journalism student. She enjoys designing the Redwood Gigantea newspaper. Outside of writing, she is a Chief Editor for Redwood yearbook. You can reach her at katel.we3140@vusd.us
Tags: ailina fernandez, alayla ayala, alysa betiong, brianna abney, clubs & lifestyles, homecoming queen, homecoming week, jocelyn silva, katelyn weddle, redwood gigantea, redwood high school, Top Five
