The theme for this year’s Fall Homecoming week was “Bruins Drive to Victory” which was filled with several activities and events throughout the week of Oct. 6 through Oct. 10.
Students received Spirit Day points for their participation in the dress-up days throughout the week. Each teacher in each class was the deciding factor on whether a student counted as being dressed up or wearing the color theme for that day.
On Monday the dress day was cowboy/cowgirl attire or brown and blue colors, Tuesday was hippies or rainbow colors, Wednesday, the theme was Cinco de Mayo or red and white colors, Thursday was explorers or animal print green and tan, and Friday was school spirit with the school colors of maroon and silver.
Lunchtime activities varied this past week for Riverbank High School students like a sled race, hat toss, hula hoop contest, dance contest, and a jalapeno eating contest that was organized by Activities Director, English Teacher, Adam Erro and the Leadership class.
There were four brave students that volunteered in the jalapeño eating contest from each grade, the contest participants had to eat six jalapeños within a minute and whoever could do it the fastest won the competition. Junior Noel Contreras won it for the juniors and devoured the jalapeños with a quickness, without hesitation and with much determination.
There was a Powder Puff game on Thursday, Oct. 9 where Chinese exchange student, Dingyi Zhang was crowned King during halftime, and the teams ended the game in a 6-6 tie, the freshman and senior girls going against the sophomores and juniors.
Students voted for King and Queen throughout the week.
Friday was the final day for Homecoming Week and they ended their day with a rally. Students performed a dance for attendees and King and Queen candidates were introduced again to the crowd.
The leadership hosted a tricycle race that required two students, a boy and girl from each class. The boys were the tricycle riders that were blindfolded and the girls were the navigators. The first one to get to the end of the course won.
The students also enjoyed a tug of war battle between the juniors and the seniors that had all five king candidates as well as a few football players.
After a tug here and there from both sides, the seniors came out ahead pulling the juniors over the line, however, the juniors did not make it easy for the seniors. Members of each class sat in their specific area cheering, hollering, laughing and applauding the festivities during the rally.
Shortly after the rally students, teachers, staff, and family members lined the streets of Santa Fe up to Third Street to watch the creative floats in the Homecoming parade. A sheriff’s deputy led the parade along Santa Fe with the color guard close behind. Riverbank Unified School District Superintendent Dr. Daryl Camp was selected as this year’s Grand Marshal and rode in a Volkswagen convertible.
Each class constructed a float and they were presented at the parade.
The band and winter guard were led by Band Director, Joey Aguilar at the parade where they entertained the parade participants. The cheerleaders were representing RHS in their uniforms, cheering and passing out candy and cookies to the parade goers. Several attendees noted what a nice parade it was and what a treat it was to be given a cookie that seemed to be freshly baked.
Stanislaus Consolidated Fire Engine Co. 26 wrapped up the parade at the end.
The final event for Homecoming was the football game against Modesto Christian which ended up in a loss for the Bruins. During halftime, Christina Linarez was crowned the Queen and the class floats made their way around the football field for their final lap, with the seniors winning the competition.
