Gabrielino High School students celebrated Homecoming last week with a Disney’s The Princess and the Frog-themed dance, following a week of spirited events organized by ASB and faculty advisors. The celebration included a themed rally, football game, Spirit Week, and the crowning of this year’s Homecoming Court.
This year’s Homecoming was widely seen as a highlight of the fall semester. Inspired by Disney’s The Princess and the Frog, ASB organized a vibrant dance that many students will remember; staff and students commended ASB for bringing so much creativity and hard work to the table.
As soon as the theme was announced at the Fall Rally, excitement spread quickly through the halls.
ASB advisor Robert Godinez mentioned that the planning for the event began earlier than usual, with ideas being brainstormed all the way back last school year. “Our senior officers and ASB team have been collaborating since last year with my co-advisor, Ms. Gallegos,” Godinez said.
All that effort paid off, as every part of the week connected back to the central idea—from the Fall Rally to Spirit Week and all the way to the big game and the dance. “I’m really proud of how everything tied together,” Godinez added.
This year’s Homecoming was not just about the dance; it was a whole atmosphere, an event that pulled in freshmen to seniors.
Homecoming King Jayden Phung was announced at 9:30 p.m. during the dance. Homecoming Queen Julina Mireles was announced at the football game against Marshall High School.
Freshman Homecoming Prince Oliver Baluta shared his thoughts on Homecoming and being on the court, stating, “For my first year at Gabrielino and becoming prince was really cool, and I am also glad Sierra and I got nominated.”
Homecoming Princess Sierra Gomez added, “Walking into the dance and seeing everyone dressed up and having a great time felt like we were in a storybook.”
Despite some tough challenges that come with organizing such a big event, ASB persevered. “There are always a lot of obstacles with pulling everything together, especially with the tight timeline,” Godinez said.
Coordinating the week’s events while managing academic responsibilities required major effort from the student leaders.
Support from behind the scenes also contributed to the event’s success. Godinez pointed out how important teamwork is, sharing that “Seeing how hard the students work on top of everything else is impressive. We couldn’t have pulled it off without our amazing staff—shoutout to Mr. Murchie, Mrs. Strom, and our custodial team led by Carlos Torres for always having our backs.”
Homecoming was a memorable experience for many students. Students from different grades came together, had fun, and made lasting memories. Godinez said it best: “If I had to pick one word to describe this year’s Homecoming, it would be ‘magical.’”
The Homecoming celebration once again brought students, staff, and the community together in a shared moment of spirit and tradition.
