By: Gabby Mora and Bella Aldridge
Mya Ables ‘20, Rikki Gonzales ‘20, Jada Griffiths ‘20, Abbie Linhares ‘20, and Leyla Lujan ‘20, have all had the honor of participating in the weekly homecoming events as the top five nominees. Throughout the week, they have made many memories, and have grown closer to the redwood traditions. They have gone through many experiences that they would’ve never known of if they were not nominated by their senior class. All the girls had different perspectives when they were going through the week.
Ables ‘20, nominated by cheer, danced her way into the top five. Ables felt obligated to show more Ranger pride than she had felt the previous three years. She says that being involved as a nominee made sure that she was more into the lunch time activities, dress up days, and being more recognized in a good and positive way. Ables says, “ I was expecting it to be fun because it is a different experience and something new.” She was able to enjoy her week along with her fellow nominees. She really enjoyed going out with her escort and getting their dress up stuff. Ables says that there really is no competition but more of supporting one another.
Gonzalez ‘20, nominated by CSF, was led by her escort Tanner Terrible ‘20. Throughout her years here at Redwood, Gonzalez felt that it was an honor for someone to get in the top five. She continues by saying that, “I thought that it was like a very great honor to know that your classmates nominated you, because they see you as someone who represents Redwood well.” Gonzales explains that in her past years, she thought that it was more of a popularity contest, whereas now being a senior, she finally saw the bigger picture; that your peers really do see you as a good representative of Redwood. She expected a big competition, as they were “all very deserving”, but Gonzalez went into the week, thinking that it was already a win to be there, as part of the top five, out of the 70+ nominees.
Griffiths ‘20, nominated by ASB, took her escort Josh Gilcrest with her through the week, and was crowned this year’s Homecoming Queen. Griffiths has been part of ASB the previous three years and she has been there watching the setup of the homecoming week. She has watched the previous top five go through their week of fun and it was a dream of hers to be involved in homecoming. She had expected this week to be super fun and knowing that she would have the support of everyone in the school and that the hype would be brought. Her expectation was brought to a reality when she experienced the fun week, “It was definitely the energy that the Redwood students were putting forward,” she says. This was her favorite part of the whole week. Along with her being the ASB President, she was able to enjoy the dress up and see everyone enjoying a yearly tradition.
Linhares ‘20, was nominated by FBLA. She was accompanied by Liam Goss ‘20. Linhares said that because of her week being in the top five, she dressed up to a higher quality, rather than her previous years. She also felt that there was a different atmosphere, because everyone was excited for her, and the other four nominees. Linhares expressed that it was a really cool feeling; entering the field and seeing her peers running towards her and the others. She felt that it was more than she ever imagined it to be. By the end of the week, she had grown a closer bond with the other 4 nominees.
Lujan ‘20, nominated by Digital Film Club, enjoyed her homecoming week with her escort Jacob Rodriguez, ‘20. Being in the top five for her meant that she would be more involved and that she would be able to have fun with her friends. She expected to have a fun week and to enjoy the game on Friday night. Lujan really enjoyed seeing all the girls in their dress up days outfits in contrast to their normal, daily basis outfits.
All girls agreed that the week included many different things to get done and take care of before it got too late but the overall experience was more fun than imaginable!