Seniors Eddie Hernandez and Janessa Rodriguez

After years of questioning whether to run for homecoming court, senior Janessa Rodriguez and her boyfriend Eddie Hernandez finally followed through on their plan.

“It’s my last year here at Kingwood Park, what else do I have to lose?”  Hernandez said.

Both seniors are involved in a variety of organizations at the school. Rodriguez is vice president of Latinos for STEM, a member of Culture and Diversity Club, Active Service Club and Panther Pals. Hernandez participates in Panther Pals, Latinos for STEM, Culture and Diversity Club. Hernandez also plays on the varsity boy’s soccer team. 

Rodriguez and Hernandez have been together for two years, and they loved being a part of the court and participating in the dress-up days throughout Homecoming Week.

“I think my favorite dress of day was probably Frat vs. Country Day, because it’s just funny that everyone was dressing like frat boys,” Rodriguez said. 

Both said the week was fun and left an impact on them as well as many memories. They encouraged others to participate in future years.

“Just have fun,” Hernandez said. “Go for it. Make the most of your time while you’re here.”

Juniors Hudson Wheeler and Sophia Alexander

Junior Sophia Alexander was very surprised when she found out she won at the homecoming pep rally. She won along with Hudson Wheeler.

“I thought it was pretty crazy,” she said. “But it means people like us, and that’s cool.”

During the homecoming football game, she got announced on the field as junior homecoming royalty, but not everything went completely smooth.

“Halfway through the football game, my heel broke,” she said. “It was making weird noises and was so annoying.” 

Obviously, winning homecoming royalty with Wheeler has been a great high school memory so far, but Alexander said her other favorite memories are those she makes on softball game days. 

“I really love the long bus rides with the softball team. It’s the little moments like that.” 

When Wheeler won homecoming royalty along with Alexander, he was surprised. The junior competes in track, maintains good grades and more. Wheeler says his favorite part about being royalty is simply just the title. He said the experience was fun, and he’s proud to be holding the title this year with Alexander.

For other people trying to get involved with homecoming court next year, Wheeler said, “Just do it. Don’t not do it, because you think it’s going to be boring.” 

Sophomores Mia Garcia and Luca Onut

Each year, homecoming court winners get announced at the annual community pep rally. This year, sophomore Mia Garcia and her boyfriend Luca Onut sat in the gym during the pep rally in silent trepidation. 

They stared across the gym at their friends from L.A.S.O, soccer, and esports.

“Everyone is just staring at you, wondering if you are going to win it all,” Onut said. 

Garcia agreed she was nervous. 

“I felt like I had a lot of competition,” Garcia said. “Because it was a lot of cheer girls running alongside me, and I’m not involved in cheer so I don’t really know a lot of people like they do. I felt nervous.” 

Garcia, who won in 2024, hoped she could win again. Finally, the announcement of the winners echoed through the gym. 

Garcia and Onut won. They are crowned Homecoming dutch and duchess. 

Garica’s biggest inspiration going into this was her faith in God and her mother. 

“God and my mom are my biggest inspiration,” Garcia said. “My mom, she’s such a good person and she’s like my best friend.” 

After being under the spotlight during Homecoming Week, Onut advised those looking to run in the future to do it. 

“Honestly just go for it, like don’t be scared,” he said. “Just try because you’ll never know unless you try.”

Freshmen Vincent Russell and Nicole Padilla

When Vincent Russell first found out that he had been nominated and won, he was very surprised and grateful. He thought the other nominees had better campaigning and advertising than he did.

Many things come with the title of freshman lord, Russell said. He said the highlights are “the aura, the crown, and the leadership. 

Behind his crown, there are many things that people don’t know about Russell.

“I have my own personal boat, titled under me,” or that he was “Top 900 in the world for Rainbow Six Siege at one point. “

Freshman Nicole Padilla was crowned homecoming lady. Padilla was very shocked when she found out that she got nominated, and won.

Padilla said in order to win, she did not focus on campaigning too much and focused on growing and making connections with her freshman class.

“Don’t try too hard,” Padilla said. “Try to make new friends and make groups with people. I think that’s what helped me.” 

Padilla had a busy Homecoming Week. During the Homecoming pep rally, she played the pep rally game, took photographs for journalism, and participated in the court. After she won her crown, she celebrated by calling her family and friends and made plans to have dinner after the Homecoming football game.

“It’s been refreshing meeting new people,” she said. “That’s the best part of high school.”