GILROY
– The scene at Gilroy High School is a strange one this week.
Students will dress like cowboys, run around the quad carrying raw
eggs and even participate in a human bowling competition.
By Lori Stuenkel
GILROY – The scene at Gilroy High School is a strange one this week. Students will dress like cowboys, run around the quad carrying raw eggs and even participate in a human bowling competition.
Homecoming week has arrived, and this year, students are in for a new, more competitive approach to the festivities.
“We wanted to move away from the traditional homecoming,” said Mindy Marquez, student member of the Gilroy Unified School District Board of Trustees a regular meeting Thursday night.
The biggest change is the point system used to determine which class has the most school spirit.
Associated Student Body representatives will award class points for everything from dress-up day and lunchtime activity participation to cheering loudly at the homecoming rally Friday afternoon. Points will be awarded for students who have purchased a yearbook or dance tickets in advance, float-building attendance and the floats themselves, based on creativity, football incorporation, theme, artistic impression, originality and color.
In the past, points were awarded for dressing up on spirit days and the float-building competition but not much else, said Jack Daley, activity and athletics director.
“(The ASB representatives) are trying to create a little bit more spirit by thinking of different ways that they can encourage kids to participate in things,” Daley said.
Each class generated a ‘Catchy Phrase Theme’ that will inspire their float-building: freshmen are Powered by Spirit, sophomores are Powered by Energy, Juniors and seniors are Powered by Liberty and Pride, respectively.
The ASB worked hard to pique students’ interest in homecoming activities, visiting each classroom on campus to encourage everyone to participate.
“This is the first time we’ve publicized this to each class. So I hope we get everyone to participate,” Marquez said.
Grand Marshals Darren Yafai and Kanani Pratt will preside over Friday’s festivities. Students elected Yafai, a world history teacher and head football coach, and Pratt, a social sciences teacher, for having outstanding school spirit.
The homecoming parade of class floats, classic cars and the GHS marching band begins Friday at 3:15. The homecoming court and senior football players will ride down Princevalle, Sixth, Orchard and Tenth Streets.
Homecoming week will culminate with the varsity football game against Alavarez High School kicking off at 7:30 p.m.
The homecoming court will enter the field before the game accompanied by their class floats. During half-time, the senior king and queen will be announced.
