San Benito High School students are busy putting the finishing
touches on their parade floats, finding dates and filling the
school’s hallways with ‘Baler pride in anticipation of Homecoming
this week.
Hollister – San Benito High School students are busy putting the finishing touches on their parade floats, finding dates and filling the school’s hallways with ‘Baler pride in anticipation of Homecoming this week.
“Homecoming is always a really big deal at San Benito High School,” senior Stefany James said. “The Homecoming rally and the football game are what we look forward to most.”
Throughout the week students will participate in dozens of events during and after school, culminating with the annual football game Friday and the Homecoming Dance Saturday.
The mood on campus Monday was “spirited,” Associated Student Body President Brian Rocha said.
“Everyone is getting ready,” he said. “The game and the dance will be the highlights. And the parade is always important because we put so much work into the floats.”
In addition to the traditional football game and dance, key Homecoming events include a Friday morning rally for the school’s 3,000 students and a parade along San Benito street.
Friday’s Homecoming Rally will feature performances from the school’s dance team and band as well as a celebration of fall sports teams.
“The rally is all-encompassing. It brings a wide variety of groups together,” Rally advisor and SBHS math teacher Irma Albright said. “The kids really look forward to the rally.”
The annual Homecoming Parade, which will go down San Benito Street on Friday, will feature 10 floats and more than 40 other entries, including several convertibles packed with Homecoming Royalty, Student Activities Director Juan Robledo said.
Robledo, who has been teaching at the high school for more than 30 years, always looks forward to the parade and the week-long celebration of the Baler spirit.
“Morale is high right now and I hope it continues (throughout the week),” he said.
Each year two teachers are selected by students to lead the parade. This year, Louis Espinoza and Lindsey Shirhart have been selected to serve as the parade’s Grand Marshals.
Homecoming has changed over the years, but veteran teachers and alumni say the event maintains ‘Baler traditions.
“Some things will always be consistent,” said biology teacher and Junior Varsity Football Coach Bill Johnson, who graduated from SBHS in 1969. “The parade is still the same, it’s one of the high points of the fall.”
Spanish teacher Joanne Zuniga, who graduated with the class of 1990, agreed.
“Homecoming brings back a lot of tradition,” she said. “Making the floats was the best part, as a student I remember that being a highlight.”
In addition to the crowning the school’s Homecoming King and Queen, many students are also anxious to see how the football will be delivered this year at the start of the football game.
In the past, the ball has been delivered by an Army tank, a group of roaring motorcyclists from the Top Hatters Motorcycle club, a helicopter, and several parachutists, Robledo said.
Brett Rowland covers education for the Free Lance. He can be reached at 831-637-5566 ext. 330 or br******@fr***********.com
