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Seniors partying it up at Club 300

And because it was our last one, we seniors celebrated the night like no other.

I remember looking forward to the dance, and feeling pressured to go all out. Prior to the big day, weeks of planning, stress, and drama ensued. This meant limos, dates, fancy restaurants, a big group of friends to go with, and lots of pictures. Already, money was a huge problem, and not having a date was the end of our lives. Things go from bad to worse as my ideal senior plans for Homecoming were ruined. With all of this stress, why even bother going?

Because it’s senior year. During those moments of stress, the fact that it’s the last Homecoming dance is what’s been keeping many of the seniors’ heads up to get through it all. Was it worth it? That’s what I kept telling myself. In the end, I was right.

I ended up not going in a big limo. Instead of going with an exaggerated group of fifty people, I went with five of my closest friends. When we got out of the car in the Anaheim Garden Parking Structure, it really did feel like our dance’s theme, “A Night on the Town”. We arrived early and felt like we were VIP; taking red carpet photos made us feel like celebrities. Inside, we immediately saw about ten large screens that advertised the dance. The lights from the bowling lanes, however, drew us towards them and we went bowling first.

We bowled for a bit, but eventually hit the dance floor. This was probably the first time in a long time that the DJ did not fail us. There wasn\’t an explosion of repetitive house music and the remixes were justified to its original songs. I was also very impressed that the DJ even played some top 40′s songs from the past.

The speakers pumped out music  the whole night, and we danced under the dimmed colored lights. Multiple times, when the DJ called out to “the Class of 2012”, we seniors cheered and celebrated as we realized that it was our very last Homecoming dance. I remember when my heart skipped a beat whenever the DJ called out to us because I realized that I\’ve been waiting him to say that since freshmen year.

The dance ended, and we all walked (or danced) out of the dance floor to a remix of “Dancing in the Dark” by Dev. And when it was all over, I definitely did not regret going to Homecoming. All of the stress from the past few weeks were worth it as senior year started out with one of the greatest dances hosted by FVHS.

From a senior perspective, Homecoming was a huge success. It was night full of memories that I will never forget and one of the few highlights of my high school experience.

Tyler Rose Ratzlaff, Photo Editor

[Show as slideshow]

Kalani Nakashima

By Christine Tran
 
Baron Banner: If you could be any ice cream flavor, what would you be?
Kalani Nakashima: Rainbow Sherbert, because it has a little bit of everything — that’s what makes it the best.
 
BB: Who would you rather date, Señor Yarnton or Megan Fox?
KN: Definitely Señor Yarnton, he’s the best! Only thing is, he’s not funny. Pero él es más hermoso!
 
BB: What sets you apart from all the other Homecoming candidates?
KN: I can’t dance? -laughs- No, but really, all the other candidates are really smart. But I have a bunch of AP’s.
 
BB: What do you think was your most important achievement in high school?
KN: Winning the talent show last year and Red Cross’s Battle of the bands. I love to play music, and to be recognized for that is just the best feeling.
 
BB: Who do you think is your biggest competition?
KN: I honestly didn’t think I could win [for Homecoming court]. I wasn’t as well publicized as some of the others. But they’re all major competition.
 
BB: If you win Homecoming king, how would you celebrate?
KN: Dance! I’ll throw the biggest part, and wear my crown and cape all night long!

Brandon Malone

Written by Kathy Dang

Baron Banner: How did you feel when you first found out that you made Homecoming Court?

Brandon Malone: I was kind of surprised, because I didn\’t vote for myself except for the ones at the very beginning. Other than that, yeah I was surprised, it was pretty cool.

 BB: What do you think have been the downsides and upsides to being on Court?

BM: There\’s a lot of work that you have to do with it, on top of band and everything.  Because band takes up a lifetime already, and this takes up a lifetime. So that\’s like almost one and a half lifetimes. Upsides? You\’re on Court. You get to dress up really nice without looking weird, you get a tuxedo, and I like tuxedos. Anyways, it\’s just an overall really cool experience because everyone wants to be in an assembly at some point, and it\’s your senior year, why not?

 BB: How do you feel about Homecoming being at Soka University this year?

BM: I have never been to Homecoming, ever out of my whole four years, and that is a fact. So I don\’t really know, everyone says it\’s really cool and trippy, and has a really nice scenery. So I think it\’ll be a nice venue.

 BB: If you could have one super power, what would it be and why?

BM: Oh man! Hm, it would be the ability to fly so that I could just bust it out whenever. Like if I didn\’t do any homework or anything, and they ask me what happened, I\’ll be like, “Oh, I\’m sorry I didn\’t know that… Oh am I flying right now? Am I flying right now? Yeah, and that\’s why I didn\’t do my homework, because I can fly and you can\’t.”

 BB: What do you enjoy doing in your free time outside of school?

BM: Outside of school, I like playing music. You know, having fun, going out with people, watching movies. Band, band, band, band, band, band, band, band, band, band, band, band, band, and track, and band.

 BB: Who do you look up to most?

BM: My role model would have to be someone like Martin Luther King, in a sense like, what would he do in my situation? But in a lesser extent, I would have to say someone like Lupe Fiasco, because he is the voice of our generation. He keeps it real, really real.

 BB: What\’s your future look like?

BM: I want to go to college (laughs). I want to go to Cal State Long Beach, get into their music program, and get into some kind of medical program there too. Hopefully, I\’ll become a musical therapist.

 BB: Any advice for underclassmen?

BM: You know, just kick back and relax. Sometimes you\’re going to have to get up and go, but right now just kick back and relax.

BB: Tell me something random about yourself.

BM: Um, I sleep with one really soft pillow and one really hard pillow so that I can meet them in the middle, so it\’s just a regular pillow. Oh, and I fry chicken like a pro!

Hassan Ilyas

By Marwa Aboubaker

Baron Banner: Who nominated you for Homecoming King?

Hassan Ilyas: My friend Johnny.

BB:What makes you different from other candidates?

HI: I like to have fun, in any way, shape, or form.

BB:What does the title Homecoming King mean to you?

HI: Someone who smells really good.

 BB:Who do you consider your competition or are afraid of?

HI: Marian and Mrs. Krimker.

 BB:So who are you taking to Homecoming?

HI: Sarah Haydock

 BB:Is there anything you want to fulfill before graduating?

HI: Get a scholarship.

BB:What is your signature dance move?

HI: The Worm.

Judd Chamma

By Marwa  Aboubaker

Baron Banner: Who nominated you for Homecoming King?

Judd Chamma: My best friend, Nezar nominated me.

BB:What ideal traits should a Homecoming King posses?

JC: They should be outgoing, funny, good looking, smart, and athletic.

 BB:Do you posses those traits?

JC: Id like to think so..

 BB:Who do you consider your competition or are afraid of?

JC: At this point anyone could win, and were all friends.

 BB:So who are you taking to Homecoming?

JC: Meghan Fallan

 BB:Is there anything you want to fulfill before graduating?

JC: Win Sunset League in Basketball and make it far in CIF.

 BB:What is your signature dance move?

JC: Its hard to explain in words, but you\’ll see it at the dance.

Paige Grigus

Written by Kathy Dang

 Baron Banner: How did you feel when you first found out that you made Homecoming Court?

Paige Grigus: I was excited and pretty surprised, because there\’s a lot of great seniors. So I didn\’t know if I would be top one.

BB: What do you think have been the downsides and upsides to being on Court?

PG: I think the upsides of it is the assembly, and we get to walk out on the field and get recognized. The downsides, I think there might be people who stereotype me, and of course missing class time.

BB: How do you feel about Homecoming being at Soka University this year?

PG: I think it\’s a good place to have Homecoming, because it\’s a nice area.

BB: If you could have one super power, what would it be and why?

PG: If I could have one super power, I\’d want to fly, so that I could fly to the moon.

BB: What do you enjoy doing in your free time outside of school?

PG: Outside of school, I play soccer and run track. That\’s it.

BB: Who do you look up to most?

PG: My role model would have to be Kobe Bryant, because he always strives to be the best and accomplishes goals.

BB: What\’s your future look like?

PG: I\’m thinking about going to Long Beach or possibly Point Loma. I just want to get into a good school to play soccer and track.

BB: Any advice for underclassmen?

PG: Just start looking at colleges early, never give up, and you can do anything that you put your mind to.

Ashley Ho

Written by  Christine Le

 Baron Banner: What were your first thoughts when you made homecoming court?

Ashley Ho: I was really surprised and really happy.

BB: What does it mean to you to be on homecoming court?

AH: I\’m not in it to win it. I\’m in it to just have fun.

 BB: Does being on homecoming court bring any stress?

AH: Yes, I am very behind on homework because being on homecoming court, we have dance practice from six to eight. I also have ASB dance practices from three to five. I get no sleep at all.

BB: If you could obtain any super power, what would it be?

AH: I think I would want to fly because I like the freedom and I don\’t need to drive which I suck at!

BB: What is your favorite food?

AH: I am a junk food attic! If you knew me, you would know that I always have food in my bag. Right now, I have Hi-Chews, Hot Cheetos, and Funyuns in my bag.

BB: If you could be any Disney character, who would you want to be?

AH: I\’d be Ariel. She has always been my favorite Disney princess. I love her red hair and I think Prince Eric is very handsome.

Aimee Pham

By Joy Chen

Baron Banner: Were you surprised that you were nominated and picked to be on homecoming court?

Aimee Pham: I was actually really surprised because I knew people but not THAT many people.  I think it was just my quote and people saw it or they saw my earrings and were like “Oh that girl has on like blue earrings, I\’ll vote for her!”

BB: What do you think it takes to be on homecoming court?

AP: I think the person on court should be well rounded and involved in a lot of activities; not just one aspect like dance or choir but is active around the school.  They should have friends in different spheres kind of.I think it\’s more of a popularity contest but the ideal person should overall be well rounded.

BB: What sets you apart from the other candidates?

AP: I am one of two Asian people on court!   I am president of ASB but there are so many other people in it too and it\’s really only the title that makes it seem as if I\’m set apart of them.  It\’s cool because you see like these popular kids and these nerdy kids, and the kids who can sing but don\’t really know what to do.  Choir is pretty much a mash up of all these people. 

BB: If you could have any super power, what would you want?

AP: If I could have any super power, I would want to be able to cut bagels in half perfectly.  You know how when you slice it, you always get a fat one and a thin one?  Yeah, I want perfect, even slices and that would be my super power.

BB: Who do you look up to or admire?

AP:  One person I really look up to would be my aunt because she recently adopted a baby from Ethiopia.  She knows what she wants in life and doesn\’t really care about what other people think.  When she walks into a supermarket with her husband carrying a black baby, people are like what\’s going on with that?  She doesn\’t let it get to her and does what she thinks is right. 

Marian Edmonds

By Brie Roche-Lilliott

Baron Banner: What are you involved in at FVHS and outside of school?

Marian Edmonds: Well I\’ve been on the dance team for four years, and this year I\’m a captain. I\’m also in Red Cross Club on campus. I take an ROP medical internship class and I volunteer regularly at Fountain Valley Regional Hospital.

BB: So, tell us a unique talent or an interesting fact about you?

ME: Well, I suffer from a very serious disease known as The Red Face.

BB: If you could be any animal, what would you be and why?

ME: Something really big…I\’d be a whale because I\’m really small and I just want to know what it\’s like to be big.

BB: Do you have a favorite dance move?

ME: The windmill, it\’s that move break-dancers do when their legs go everywhere.

BB: Do you have a bucket list for Senior Year? What\’s on it?

ME: Go to the Harry Potter theme park. That\’s all; it says enough on it\’s own.

Noelle Carney

Written by Christine Le

Baron Banner: What were your first thoughts when you made homecoming court?

Noelle Carney: I was excited to do the homecoming dance and assembly. I also get to spend time with the 10 coolest kids on campus.

BB: What does it mean to you to be on homecoming court?

NC: It proves to me that what I have accomplished shows that I am a good representative and a good leader for this school.

BB: What do you have to offer being on homecoming court?

NC: I sing the National Anthem. I am really involved and I try to get the school more spirited.

BB: Does being on homecoming court bring any stress?

NC: Yes, because I\’m also on activities commission. I run all the lunchtime activities. I am also in charge of the half-time football game.

BB: If you could obtain any super power, what would it be?

NC: I would want the power that with the touch of my finger, I\’m able to cure someone.

BB: What is your favorite food?

NC: French fries! I basically live off of French fries and root beer.

BB: If you could be any Disney character, who would you want to be?

NC: I\’d be Meg from Hercules because she fall in love with the hero and he saves her. She\’s skinny and pretty.

Comic Created by: Marie Nichols (’11)

BB: “How did you like this year\’s homecoming?”

Noelle Nguyen (‘12): “Homecoming was really fun and the music was a lot better than last year. The venue was really spacious in my opinion and everything was set up really well.”

Leticia Guerrero (\’10): “It was really, really fun and I had a great time. It was a lot better than sophomore year which was the last time I went. The theme was pretty awesome and I had fun.”

Ryan Zait (\’12): “It was fun and there were a lot of cool cars there and I had a fun time. I liked this year\’s theme but although I thought they could of made it more obvious what the theme was.”

James Le (\’10): “I like homecoming a lot this year. The DJ was better and the smoke machine broke and it was pretty bad. It was very hot but other than that it was a very great experience; it was my first time going to homecoming.”

Chris Allen (\’11): “There was hap down in the beginning which was boring. It was ten times as bad as I thought over the hap down. I had to throw away pack of gum and precious breath mints. The place was tiny and there were a bunch of guys that were standing guard in front of all the cars. You could not hear each other talk The music was good except they played “Miley Cyrus” which I refused to move a muscle except my frown. Overall, I liked the mist that came down from the vents.”

Sean Nguyen (\’10): “It was fun, I loved the fog machine. The theme was pretty awesome “Under the City Lights” and this year was a lot better than last year because last year at the Discovery Science Center, I felt like a 10 year old with all the weird objects. This year was cars and everything, pretty sweet rides in there.”

Jennifer Hoang (\’11): “It was really fun. I though it was a new experience because it was my first homecoming. I thought the theme was really interesting and the cars were really cool. I really liked the lighting, the fog, and the music.”

Amanda Nguyen (‘12): “It was really fun and I really had a good time. The dancing was really fun and all the fog machines. There were refreshments on the table. The music was really good; it made me like just want to get on the stage and WOOOH. The theme was okay because it was typical high school theme.”

For months, ASB has been working hard to make the Homecoming Dance and Assembly possible. Because of a double-booking between FVHS and a World War II veteran reunion, the Dance Commission had to find a new location.

With only two weeks left until Homecoming, ASB and Senate speedily wrote a new script, made props, and practiced their dances. They spent their weekends and after-school hours at FVHS getting ready for the assembly. The change, although inconvenient, wasn\’t such a bad thing.

“I was really stressed out but once we rewrote the script, I felt like it was better than the first and it will turn out great,” says Assembly Commissioner Joey Secour.

ASB says that the props for the assembly will very elaborate with monumental pieces leading the way… literally.

Dancer Michael La Colla of Western High School choreographed the Homecoming Court and ASB dances.
“They were a great group of people because they were dedicated and really appreciative of my coming to teach them a dance,” says La Colla.

Media Commissioner Carlos Xitumul says, “I\’m a little nervous because I\’m leading the way at the tip of the diamond, but I\’ve been practicing the dance at home.”

Spirit days, ranging from dressing like a tourist to wearing business attire, were held throughout the week to promote the upcoming dance.

The Homecoming Dance itself will take place at the Marconi Automotive Museum in Tustin on Saturday, October 17, and is themed “Under the City Lights.” In addition to grooving on the spacious dance floor, students can participate in activities like poker, mini race car driving and “Rock Band.”