Homecoming Court Interviews
October 14, 2009 by KimnSabrina
Filed under Featured
Interviews by Kathy Dang, Anh Le, Christine Le, and Trinh-Anh Le, Staff Writers
Photographs by Tiffany Pham
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Dominic Ragland
Dylan Tompkins
Raffi Contreras-Geck
Robbie Daquila
Alli Budd
Brooklyn Paxson
Dorothy Dang
Josephine Tran
Paige Amelung
Brandon Kesato Takahashi
Baron Banner: How did you feel when you found out you made homecoming court?
Brandon Takashi: Ecstatic, but it was a little unexpected.
BB: What do you think is the best thing about making homecoming court?
BT: Having a reason to look more handsome.
BB: If you could have any super power what would it be?
BT: The power to change substances.
BB: How do you feel so far about your last year of high school?
BT: It\’s stressful with a sprinkle of awesomeness.
BB: What are your plans after high school?
BT: Living for more than 50 years after I graduate.
BB: Do you have any college in mind you would like to attend?
BT: Any UC in Southern California that will take me—hopefully UCSD.
BB: What career would you like to pursue?
BT: There\’s always the possibility of being a food tester and testing how flavors compliment each other.
BB: What is your favorite kind of car?
BT: I want the taxi car from the Roger Rabbit movie.
BB: Thank you for time.
BT: You\’re welcome.
Dominic Ragland
Baron Banner: How did you feel when you found out you made homecoming court?
Dominic Ragland: I was in shock because I didn’t think I would even get nominated. To be on homecoming court was just very surprising.
BB: What are the best and worst parts about making homecoming court?
DR: I like how everybody knows you now and you get to miss class. However, it’s a lot of work to be good looking.
BB: If you could have any super power in the world, what would it be?
DR: The ability to teleport. That way I could get anywhere I wanted to without having to pay.
BB: How’s senior year going?
DR: So far, it is the most fun year out of all four. You feel like you’re on top of the world, and you’re not scared of anybody because you’re an upperclassman.
BB: What are you plans for the future?
DR: I want to get into San Diego State University, and hopefully play some football and become a college coach.
BB: What’s your favorite clothing brand?
DR: I don’t really have one. Whatever makes me feel pretty.
BB: What is your favorite type of car?
DR: Bentleys, because they are super expensive and girls like fancy cars.
BB: What do you enjoy doing in your free time?
DR: I like to sleep, hang out with friends at the park, play taboo, and coach my little brother’s football team.
BB: What’s your favorite food?
DR: Barbeque tri-tip sandwiches from The Seals.
BB: Who is your favorite teacher?
DR: Mrs. Marquez because she is kind, loving, and willing to help me whenever I’m in need.
Dylan Tompkins
Baron Banner: What was your initial reaction when you found out you made court?
Dylan Tompkins: I was very happy. I never personally campaigned but my sister did a bit around our neighborhood. It\’s really cool that I made it because I was genuinely nonchalant about the whole thing.
BB: What is the best thing about being on court?
DT: I like all the people who are in it with me, and we get to spend a lot of time together.
BB: Any downsides?
DT: The assembly dance– I am definitely not looking forward to that.
BB: If you could marry any celebrity, who would it be?
DT: Megan Fox, period.
BB: What is the most overrated Homecoming tradition?
DT: The formality of it; it should be more casual– not like the Aloha dance, but not in a museum either.
BB: Is there anything you want to add?
DT: Thank you for voting for me!
BB: Thank you for your time.
DT: You\’re welcome.
Raffi Contreras-Geck
Baron Banner: How did you feel when you found out you made homecoming court?
Raffi Geck: I was really excited, and I think I might have peed in my pants.
BB: What are the best and worst parts about making homecoming court?
RG: The best thing? Thinking my ticket was going to be paid for. The worst? Finding out it wasn’t.
BB: If you could have any super power, what would it be and why?
RG: The ability to teleport, because then I could play more pranks.
BB: How’s senior year going?
RG: It’s going well. It’s fun and interesting.
BB: What are your plans for the future?
RG: I’m going to try to become a teacher or a coach. And the President of Mexico.
BB: What’s your favorite clothing brand?
RG: I like Mada, LRG, and Stussy. But my all time favorite is 5 for 10.
BB: What’s your favorite car?
RG: ‘69 Camero, or ‘64 Ampulla. I’d be cruising down the street in my ‘64.
BB: What do you enjoy doing in your free time?
RG: I eat a lot. I play soccer, and sit on the bench for volleyball. I try to make people laugh, so sorry if I’m obnoxious sometimes.
BB: What’s your favorite food?
RG: Anything I can get my hands on.
BB: Who’s your favorite teacher?
RG: Mr. Theriault, because he tries to understand his students and reaches out to them any way he can. He’s a little on the crazy side, but that\’s why we love him.
BB: Thank you for your time.
RG: You\’re welcome.
Robbie Daquila
Baron Banner: What was your initial reaction when you found out you\’d made court?
Robbie Daquila: I was excited because I thought there were free tickets for everyone on court, but apparently, only the winner gets one.
BB: What is the best thing about being on court?
RD: Spending time with the people who also made it. We\’re all really good friends so it\’s a lot of fun.
BB: Any downsides?
RD: Dancing at the assembly and the stress. People would think it isn\’t a lot of work, but the schedules are crazy.
BB: What are your plans for Homecoming?
RD: I\’m going with Cristie de los Reyes and a group of about 40.
BB: What is your favorite YouTube video?
RD: Weezy Chronicle, Part 4.
BB: If you can marry any celebrity, who would it be?
RD: Beyoncé Knowles, without a doubt.
BB: What is the most overrated Homecoming tradition?
RD: Having to pay for your tickets.
BB: Is there anything else you want to add?
RD: I am looking forward to walking on the field with my mom. And, I hope to win!
BB: Thank you for your time!
RD: You\’re welcome.
Alli Budd
Baron Banner: How did you feel when you found out that you made homecoming court?
Alli Budd: I was very surprised– I‘m completely stoked!
BB: What do you think is the best thing about making homecoming court?
AB: The best thing is the perks, like getting your hair done. It\’s cool that people are really supportive.
BB: Do you think there are any downsides to making court?
AB: It\’s pretty stressful. You have to give up some afternoons, learn the dances, and lose out on some sleep.
BB: If you could have any super power what would it be?
AB: Shape shifting. I would be able to see something and change into that shape.
BB: What are your plans after graduation?
AB: My senior year graduation present is a trip to the Bahamas. I\’m going with a big group of family and friends.
BB: What is the one career you would like to pursue?
AB: I would like to pursue marine biology and become a masseur.
BB: What is your favorite accessory?
AB: I love shoes.
BB: What is your favorite kind of car?
AB: My favorite kind of car is a black Range Rover.
BB: Thank you for your time.
AB: You\’re welcome.
Brooklyn Paxson
Baron Banner: How did you feel when you found out you made homecoming court?
Brooklyn Paxson: I was really, really excited. I didn\’t think I would make it, so it was a very nice surprise.
BB: What do you think is the best thing about making court?
BP: The best thing about making homecoming court is probably being involved in the assembly and going on the field.
BB: Do you think there are any downsides to making it to the top 5?
BP: I\’m pretty sure it\’s going to be time consuming, and my coach is mad that I\’m missing practice.
BB: If you could any super power what would it be?
BP: I would want super speed.
BB: How do you feel about senior year so far?
BP: Its bomb, I love it—so far, it\’s been awesome. It\’s the icing on the cake.
BB: What are your future plans after school?
BP: I don\’t see myself as the career type. I\’d rather be a stay- at- home mom, although it would be nice to have my own Rachel Ray status food network show.
BB: What college would you like to attend?
BP: Any college but OCC.
BB: What is your favorite clothing brand?
BP: I\’m not into brands, I just wear whatever is cute.
BB: What is your favorite kind of car?
BP: An Escalade.
BB: Thank you for your time.
BP: You\’re welcome.
Dorothy Dang
Baron Banner: What was your first reaction when you found out you were on court?
Dorothy Dang: I was ecstatic. I had always wanted to be on court since freshman year!
BB: What is the best thing about being on court?
DD: Walking with my dad onto the field at the Homecoming game. It\’s a great chance to make lasting memories with him since we don\’t really interact much.
BB: Any downsides?
DD: Having people view it as “ASB contaminated”; we don\’t even get to touch the ballots.
BB: What is your favorite YouTube video?
DD: I don\’t know what it\’s called, but it\’s a Windows 7 commercial. This seven year-old girl named Kylie talks to a fish named Dorothy. I think it\’s the most adorable thing ever.
BB: What are your Homecoming plans?
DD: I am most likely going with Alan Bui and a big group of close friends. It will be a lot of fun.
BB: Which celebrity would you marry?
DD: I don\’t know. I don\’t really care much about celebrities.
BB: What is your favorite video game?
DD: I haven\’t played anything recently, but I used to really like playing Splinter Cell with my brother. We were so nerdy!
BB: Thank you for your time.
DD: You\’re welcome.
Josephine Tran
Baron Banner: How did you feel when you found out you made Homecoming Court?
Josephine Tran: I was really surprised. I didn\’t think I was going to get chosen and then I was really bummed out because my friend didn\’t make it. I wasn\’t excited about it until now!
BB: What is the best thing about making Homecoming Court?
JT: To walk on the field with my mom. I want to make her proud.
BB: Are there downsides?
JT: No. Everyone is complaining about how time consuming it is, but I stay late at school for ASB anyway. I think the activities that go with it are cool, like getting interviewed.
BB: If you could have any superpower, what would it be and why?
JT: The power to manipulate time. There are so many things that I want to do that I don\’t have enough time for
BB: Do you have any hobbies?
JT: My biggest hobby is dancing– ballet, jazz, and lyrical. I have been dancing since I was three. I also love playing Sudoku and minesweeper because I am a nerd at heart.
BB: What college do you want to go attend?
JT: I\’d like to attend UCLA because a lot of my family members went there. I also go to UCLA camp every summer, and I love it.
BB: If you could be any animal…
JT: I would either be a bird, because then I can fly and be free, or a giraffe, because then I would be very tall.
BB: What clubs are you active in?
JT: I have been on Senate and ASB two years each. I\’m vice president of Friends for Africa and have been in it since freshman year. I have been in Kiwins for three years and am currently the president. I am a member of French Club for four years, and have been on board for one. I\’ve also been in American Heart Association and Korean Club for two years.
BB: What are your activities outside of school?
JT: After dancing, my other interests include piano and karate.
BB: Do you have any advice for the average student?
JT: Don\’t be afraid to do anything. Sign up for clubs and spend your time doing things you like. That\’s what high school is for!
BB: Thank you for your time.
JT: You\’re welcome.
Paige Amelung
Baron Banner: What was your first reaction when you found out you made it on court?
Paige Amelung: I was so excited. It was very unexpected because I never thought I had any chance of making it.
BB: What is the best thing about being on court?
PA: The experience itself is really fun because we all get to spend a lot of time together.
BB: If you can have any super power, what would it be?
PA: Invisibility; it\’d be fun if people couldn’t tell I was there.
BB: What is your favorite YouTube video?
PA: Baby laughs–they are so contagious.
BB: Any plans for the future? College?
PA: I\’m applying to San Diego State, and after that I hope to get married and have a big family.”
BB: If you can marry any celebrity, who would it be?
PA: Johnny Depp, because he\’s just awesome.
BB: What do you think is the most overrated Homecoming tradition?
PA: Having to bring a date; so many people aren\’t going just because they don\’t have a date. People should just go and have a lot of fun!
BB: Thank you for your time!
PA: You\’re welcome.
