Moo-ving Behind the Scenes of Cowhide

A deep dive behind the scenes of Cowhide preparation and takedown, all orchestrated by Redwood High School’s Associated Student Body (ASB).

By: Haley Padilla, Anel Lua, Cami Lewis

The 69th Cowhide, the perennial and well-celebrated rivalry between Redwood High School and Mt. Whitney High School, occurred on Friday, November 1st, 2024. 

The long-lasting celebration has become deeply rooted in the community’s culture throughout its sixty-nine years of existence. Festive decorations adorn both campuses, encouraging student engagement for the week and school spirit. The artists behind the renovations are none other than Redwood’s ASB team. 

ASB’s Cowhide preparation begins a month in advance. Students are divided into individual committees dedicated to handling different activities, such as lunchtime activities and dress-up days, though all members bear their own responsibilities.

The weekend before Cowhide, Redwood ASB visited campus to prepare for the sensational week ahead. By cutting out over a thousand cow spots to decorate both campuses—Vista and Main—and the office, creating individual cow spots for all teachers, and repainting Spirit Lane, ASB brightened up Redwood’s environment and elevated students’ hopes and excitement. 

Dress-up days are an ideal way to heighten student participation during the week. A poll was released asking Rangers what they’d want to see and participate in. Suggestions were collected and used to determine Redwood’s Cowhide dress-up days.

Though everything appears to run smoothly, ASB still faces struggles. Time and distractions are some of the more immense difficulties they push through.

“Because Homecoming was also in October, [we struggled a lot with time]. So without the same amount of time we normally have, it’s been really hard, but most of the time we’re good,” said Spirit Coordinator Sophia Diaz, ‘26.

Mrs. Aston, Redwood’s ASB Director, said, “I think sometimes kids are ready to work and they get in here, get a lot of work done, and get done quickly. Other times, they get distracted and want to hang out with friends or play on their phones, and they sometimes waste time, so that can really affect us.”

The most fundamental part of Cowhide Week is the main event: the Cowhide game. To heighten student’s exhilaration for the occasion, ASB hosted an exceptional rally with talented performances from Redwood Cheer, Dance Force, International Dance, and Hip-Hop. Another rally occurred the Monday after, a celebration of Redwood’s win over Mt. Whitney during the 69th Cowhide; the repossessed Hide was displayed to the entirety of the school. 

The showdown occurred in the Mineral King Bowl, accessorized with Redwood and Whitney’s displays of school spirit. Rangers observed from the away side this year, though the side’s smallness failed to hinder ASB’s dedication. 

“We have a lot of vinyl that’ll go up, balloons, the Ranger sign, as well as the Ranger strong letters with the lights and then our RHS letters with the lights,” said Mrs. Aston.

However, who cleans the stadium after the game is finished? Redwood ASB and our janitors, of course. 

ASB took down the tunnel where the football players dashed through and all decorations, taking only “a short amount of time,” according to Freshman President, Roberto Correa, ‘28. The janitors then polished the rest.

Redwood’s ASB team hopes that all Rangers had a thrilling week and for them to embrace their Ranger pride. Diaz said, “We just make sure to bring the spirit. We really want everyone to feel the excitement.”

Tags: Behind the Scenes, clubs & lifestyles, cowhide, print, Redwood, redwood asb, redwood cowhide, redwood gigantea, redwood high school, redwood journalism, redwood rangers, rhs, RHS ASB, rhs cowhide, visalia ca