New Homecoming format debuts

When the Fallbrook Warriors celebrate Homecoming this weekend, it will be the first of a new era – one without the pageantry of tissue-paper-covered floats and bursts of steam from make-believe volcanoes, but one that will highlight the tremendous contribution local high school students can make to their community.

The change of format for Homecoming was made because the new state-of-the-art track surface installed at Warrior Stadium cannot accommodate the weight of floats built atop traditional vehicles.

Instead, each of the four high school classes, ninth through twelfth grade, has focused their energy on a five-week-long improvement project at Fallbrook’s Live Oak Park.

“[The projects] are going great and the outcome will be awesome,” said Josh Way, director of the Associated Student Body (ASB). “There were certain things the students weren’t sure if they could pull off, but their parents, friends and members of the community came forward to help make it happen.”

At the park, the students have renovated the softball field, including replacing the infield surface with “Dodger Dust;” re-landscaped and beautified the front entrance; remodeled a footbridge and improved a shade garden; and made repairs and improvements to the two-acre picnic area on the south side of Reche Road.

Each grade level was given $1,000 in seed money by the ASB and from there solicited additional donations to aid their project.

“The softball field ended up being a $6,000 project alone,” Way said. “Many companies and individuals donated time and materials and others gave deep discounts.”

The Homecoming celebration began on Monday and has been active all week at Fallbrook High School, with class competitions at lunch time and special “dress up” days with various themes.

Students have dressed up in college-representative clothing, neon fashions, jungle attire and the famous Warrior “red and white” to show their school spirit.

Class competitions have included the “Human Puzzle,” the “Banana Choco-Ladder” and “Warriors of the Lost Bark.”

On Friday, October 10, festivities begin with the traditional Homecoming pep rally at 9:45 a.m. in the gymnasium. Alumni are welcome to attend the rally and are asked to sign in at the office upon entering campus.

The football teams will face Rancho Buena Vista with the junior varsity game beginning at 4:30 p.m.

A special ceremony will take place between the junior varsity and varsity football games. It will include the (surprise) announcement of the individual selected as this year’s Homecoming Grand Marshal, followed by the varsity game at 7 p.m.

At halftime of the varsity football game, an expanded musical presentation by the Marching Warriors band will include the introduction of the Homecoming princesses, who will be escorted by their fathers. The young lady selected as Homecoming Queen will be announced shortly afterward.

The finished improvements to Live Oak Park will be presented in a special way to the crowd, Way said, and a variety of awards, including Best Overall, will be presented to the students for their efforts.

The ‘Top 25’ most involved students from each class will also be recognized for their time and dedication.

The traditional Homecoming dance will take place the following evening, Saturday, October 11, from 8 to 11 p.m. in the gymnasium, with the announcement of the Homecoming King scheduled for 9 p.m.