by Shelley Bennett
Homecoming Week at Lassen High School was filled with fun dress up days, lunchtime activities, and other events that made it fly by. The highlight for me was on Friday when we were getting ready for the parade and feeling the excitement in the air.
I was out on the track as the floats and other vehicles lined up in the staging area. As the senior class advisor, I was “supervising” their skit rehearsal, but they were mostly chasing each other with plastic swords and goofing around on the field.
I thought our winning streak might be over. Every time I said “Let’s go” to start a run through, they did not in fact “go”. I left them and made sure ASB VP Conner Finks knew what do as more groups and vehicles entered the track.
The Drill Team arrived and started stretching so I decided it was time I make my way on to Main St. My co-teacher Becky Reger had supervised chair set up, there were tables for the judges, DJ Mikey was ready, and everything was looking good.
The bell rang and hundreds of students started filtering in and finding places to sit. Our ASB students did a great job of directing the grade levels to their assigned areas.
And then it was time! I texted Conner, “Go”. He called me, “The alumni’s car won’t start.” My mind raced…what were our options? Conner interrupted, “no wait, we’re good” followed by cheers of the students who helped push the car.
The parade began with Jon Westfall driving his classic Jeep Wagoneer with our two directors of assemblies: Danny Davidson and Kalina Baesman. They welcomed the crowd and introduced the Lassen High School drumline, who marched past playing with gusto.
The next entry was our two alumni of the year: Gino Surian and David French. The two were driven in Gino’s car by David’s son Darren.
Both Gino and David are members of the class of 1966. They were great athletes, married their high school sweethearts (Patti and Deanna, respectively), and became valuable members of our community. It was an honor to hear their stories and was a good reminder of what Homecoming should be about.
Next, several student groups performed. The Grizzliettes did a sideline dance to “Treasure” by Bruno Mars, the Varsity Football Team went through their Pride Drill, and the Cheerleaders led the crowd in their popular “call and response” cheer “Do It.”
It was time to introduce the Homecoming Royalty. Freshmen Princess Aaliyah Cantos was escorted by Prince Nicholas Gomez and Sophomore Princess Gabby Perez was attended by Jace Shafe. They were driven in Tony Shaw’s parade-famous convertible. Teacher and class advisor Rachel Vincent accompanied Junior Prince and Princess Russell David and Misty Xiong in her emerald green Volkswagon.
The senior court arrived together in Reesa Rice’s spectacular white Cadillac.
ASB President Renee Delgado and Danny Davidson, Abby Lynn and Keegan Lewis, Natalia Hernandez and Isaiah Williams, and Emily Clements and Jacob Singh were given small treasure chests filled with candy. When opened, it was discovered that Clements and Singh were our 2023 Homecoming Queen and King.
ASB Secretary Aubrey Yerington awarded the royalty with crowns, flowers, sashes, and scepters with help from Julienne Bennett and Paislee Satica.
The class floats were next and the Freshmen had a great first outing with their version of Indiana Jones. Their float was adorned with ancient ruins, vines and greenery, inflatable snakes, and even a giant, rolling boulder.
They related the story of a tribe who worshipped the Thunderbird being overtaken by Indiana, representing the Grizzlies. There was also lots of fighting. No, not real fighting, fake fighting! It’s a common theme here. Later, it was announced that the Freshmen gathered the most spirit points during the week.
Sophomores were up with their interpretation of The Goonies. Their float looked like a ship and had several special effects. Again, there was lots of fighting as the group of misfits set out to find the win on behalf of the Grizzlies.
The Cave of Wonders was portrayed in the Junior Class’ Aladdin. Everywhere you looked there was gold! Aladdin and Abu successfully obtained the “W” from the cave with Aladdin wishing for freedom for Genie as well as being “better at football.”
Finally, the Seniors arrived with their adaptation of Pirates of the Caribbean. I should have never doubted them. They had indeed “got it together.” The skit started with three pirates (played hysterically by Danny Davidson, Jack Heimbigner, and Nash Osborn) discussing the captain.
There was a lot of fighting again, this time with swords, as Captain Jack was captured by the Thunderbird. A deal was made, and everything turned out in the end: the game was won, Captain Jack was free, and the pirates gleefully danced to “A Pirate’s Life for Me.”
I laughed and cheered along with the rest of the crowd but a part of me lost it inside. Here were the same kids who four years ago put together a Ghostbusters float on a tiny trailer in the middle of a Covid outbreak. I saw them as they are now, but also as they were as freshmen. They are my daughter and her friends and classmates and while I am so proud to see them grow up, I love the fact that they haven’t lost their goofiness and willingness to have fun.
This month brings college applications, deadlines, and decisions but for a few moments last Friday, they were just kids.
By the way, the Class of 2024 won the float and skit competition. That’s four times for those of you counting.
We have more than 120 photos from Friday’s Homecoming festivities in our gallery over at SusanvilleSnapshots.com. Click here to see them all!
We have more than 120 photos from Friday’s Homecoming festivities in our gallery over at SusanvilleSnapshots.com. Click here to see them all!
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