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SVHS marks homecoming tonight, Saturday

Each year, the Sonoma Valley High School homecoming candidates circle the football field in their convertibles during halftime; this year, the candidates will step out of the cars and onto the field, where two will be crowned royalty.

In years past, the candidates have been announced at the homecoming dance, however, this year, the community will get the chance to see the coronation.

This year’s homecoming queen candidates are Halli Dobson, Riley Ellis-Reis, Shelby Gray, Jessica Marioni and Riley O’Donnell. The candidates for homecoming king are Matt Charleston, Rory Johnston, Conor Johnston, Pedro Napoles and Keenan Tuohy.

Dobson, a standout student and soccer player, is currently interested in a career in medicine, but admits that she is also considering a career as a food critic. Regardless of which career she chooses, Dobson plans on attending a four-year college after high school. In her free time, Dobson enjoys baking, spending time with friends and listening to music.

Ellis-Reis is looking forward to someday earning her degree in biology and becoming a small-animal veterinarian; in the meantime, she enjoys playing varsity softball and soccer, participating in clubs at SVHS, going camping and scrapbooking.

From FFA to cheerleading, Gray is involved in myriad activities at SVHS. She is currently co-captain of the cheerleading team, a trained gymnast, an active member of both FFA and Earth Club and a talented painter. Next fall, Gray plans on attending Santa Rosa Junior College before transferring to Sonoma State, where she hopes to earn her credentials and become an elementary school teacher.

When she isn’t playing guitar or tennis, Marioni edits photos for the school newspaper, the Dragon’s Tale and is a weather reporter for the SVHS broadcast. She plans on attending an East Coast school after graduation and earning a degree in zoology. Marioni hopes to someday become a zoologist and have the chance to host “Shark Week” on Discovery Channel.

O’Donnell is a budding photographer, frequently taking photos for the school newspaper and the yearbook. However, her true interest lies in psychology, which she hopes to earn her degree at a four-year university. O’Donnell has also been a varsity track member for three years.

Charleston plans to put his scientific mind to good use by becoming an engineer, although he’s also set to be a fantastic leader – he has years of experience in the SVHS leadership class, he is an elected class officer and he is president of Earth Club. Charleston is also a member of the varsity track team, where he does long jump and triple jump.

Snuggling with his dog and long walks on the beach are just a few of the things Rory Johnston does in his free time, though soccer is his main passion. He plans to base a career around soccer and athletics, though he would also like to study international relations and possibly biochemistry. While he knows that he wants to attend a four-year university, he is still deciding if he wants to go to college in the U.S. or in Europe.

Conor Johnston remarks that he enjoys “down time with the mother bear,” the NFL, playing soccer and running. Like his brother, he hopes to play professional soccer, but is also considering a job as a PR agent. He’s certainly already getting his communications training as an anchor on the SVHS broadcast.

Napoles is gearing up for a successful career in programming with computer science classes as well as participation in AVID, a college readiness system at SVHS. He plans on attending college, where he hopes to earn his master’s degree in computer science. Napoles is also on the varsity soccer team and a member of the Spanish Honor Society.

Football is Tuohy’s primary school activity, though he also enjoys playing the drums. After high school, he plans on attending a four-year college and playing football. Tuohy plays tight end and offensive linebacker for the Dragons, and unfortunately was injured in the game against American Canyon on Sept. 14.

The homecoming king and queen will be crowned tonight at halftime during the varsity homecoming game, beginning at 7 p.m. with the parade of floats. The homecoming dance is Saturday, Oct 6, from 7 to 11 p.m.