Meet the Homecoming Royalty at SVHS

It’s Homecoming Week at Sonoma Valley High – for the first time in what seems like a long time. Special theme days for students are planned all week at the school, culminating in the “big game” against Justin-Siena of Napa County on Friday, Oct. 1, where the Homecoming Royalty will be introduced, and the King and Queen crowned.

It could be said that the high school never really missed a homecoming, but the class of 2021 experienced theirs “virtually” – meeting and voting on the candidates for the Homecoming Royalty, and trying to recognize them behind their masks.

This year Homecoming is certainly more “normal” than last.

“It's certainly exciting to be able to have an in-person homecoming again, with the more traditional elements,” said Principal Jessica Hutchinson. She applauded the student clubs’ leadership for pulling together a program of diverse activities all week long, from Monday’s “PJs and Crazy Socks” day at the high school, though a students-only outdoor dance at the school on Saturday, Oct. 2.

Other special school days this week include Matheletes vs. Athletes day on Tuesday, as well as a Homecoming Carnival at the PE lawn next to the football field. Wednesday brings Decades Day, Thursday is Class Colors Day (students dress up in the color of their year – freshmen in yellow, sophomores in orange, juniors in purple and seniors in green).

But Friday is the big day, and not just because of the big game. It includes a parade from the school up Broadway to the Plaza, starting after classes at about 1:30 p.m., which ends with a student rally in Grinstead Amphitheatre. Each grade level will have their own float – which will be previewed the afternoon before at Float Fest at the school.

For the community, aside from the float parade on Friday the big event is certain to be that night’s football game, kickoff time at 7 p.m. vs. Justin-Siena.

Homecoming Royalty has already been selected by the students, and more than one of the candidates will be suited up for the game.

Rollo Benstead (son of Renata Virk and Toby Benstead) plays tight end for the Dragons – he scored a touchdown in last week’s game against American Canyon – and he’s also a varsity basketball player, with other sports participation including track, water polo and golf. He plans on attending a four-year college upon graduation, possibly to study math or science.

Lauren Hengehold (daughter of Rebecca and Mike Hengehold) is a varsity soccer player – she’s been playing since she was 4 – and student leadership is one of her strengths: she’s in several clubs and is senior class president, and three years ago was freshman class president. She also started Students For Learning, a free, student-run tutoring program for elementary and middle school kids in Sonoma. In college she plans to major in psychology and minor in journalism – she heads the features department of Dragon’s Tale, the school newspaper.

Dom Girish (son of Marco and Stefania Girish) is another student-athlete, headed for his fourth year of playing varsity basketball (he was last year’s leading scorer for the Dragons). He also plays tennis and volleyball, volunteered on the Red & White Ball and at Vintage House, and is co-editor of the Dragon’s Tale. Naturally he plans to play college basketball after he graduates, while studying computer science and engineering.

Elena Forrest (daughter of Margie and Scott Forrest) helped found the Building Community Club, to help build meaningful relations in the community. She works or volunteers at Taub Family Outpost, the Sonoma Ecology Center and Sonoma Postacute. She’s looking forward to studying art in college – “hopefully in New York!”

Cyman Dever (son of Chris Dever and Sandra Nalenzy) is in the Smash Club, and though his outside school activities are few, he plans to go to college. Cyman thought “it was funny and surprising that he was elected to be a part of the homecoming court,” but he’s glad to be part of the process.

Miguel Molina (son of Cecelia and Mario Molino) will also be suited up on Friday, as plays safety on the variety football team this year and was JV last year. He likes to hang out with friends and family, and hopes to attend a University of California and study engineering.

Fernanda Alvarez (daughter of Sandra and Fernando Alvarez) is the student body’s Activities Director and Financial Advisor, and has participated in both tennis and on the wrestling team. She’s also a member of the Sonoma Valley Jazz Society, volunteers at La Luz and teaches pottery and ceramics at the Sonoma Community Center. She plans to go to Santa Barbara to study marketing, finance and business, as well as music.

Jeremy Castillo Carreras (son of Mario Castillo and Maria Carreras) is part of the GSA, and while he doesn’t have a job at this time, he takes care of kids on his downtime. He’d like to study something to do with art after high school and, while he was surprised to be nominated, he is happy to be a part of the run.

Patricia Jimenez Saldaña (son of Veronia Saldaña and Arturo Jimenez) is another athlete, part of the soccer team and varsity softball, and plays basketball for fun on weekends. She wants to attend the University of Arizona after college, where she plants to study criminal justice and hopes to get into the FBI.

The 10th candidate is Hunter Belleville, who did not submit answers to an Index-Tribune questionnaire for this article. He has been a member of both the school track and cross country teams.

The Royalty will be introduced and crowned at halftime during Friday’s game against Justin-Siena. They’re a suitable rival for Sonoma’s Homecoming, since several Valley students attend the Roman Catholic preparatory school in Napa, and it’s more than possible that Sonoma students will play on both sides of the ball.