The 2019 homecoming court winners were announced during the football game's halftime.
Royal Battle, princess pageant, floats engage students in “Homecoming Game On”
Dolled-up princesses, board game-themed floats and Friday night lights drew over a thousand guests to the Fresno Christian field for the 35th annual homecoming night, “Homecoming Game On”, Oct. 4. After weeks of anticipation, the night fulfilled its reputation of food, games and fans.
Students operated their board game-themed floats, selling everything from cotton candy to board game shaped cookies. Raising $611, all proceeds from the floats were donated to Pregnancy Care Center, Fresno, a nonprofit with the mission to aid girls and couples facing unplanned and planned pregnancies.
Eagles face off against Riverdale Christian Christ Ambassadors
Fans, family and friends packed the stands as the Fresno Christian Eagles faced the Riverdale Christian Christ Ambassadors. The Christ Ambassadors defeated the Eagles, 56-34, differing from last year when the Eagles defeated Frazier Mountain, 51-0.
The 1-3 Eagles football team started league play on homecoming night, facing off against Riverdale Christian. Plagued by injuries, FCS hoped to turn their season around after a 9-0 deficit vs. Stoneridge Christian.
Riverdale put 12 points on the board in the first half of the first quarter. After a 20-yard kick return from running back Blake Burdan, ‘20, Eagle quarterback Tyler Stotts, ‘20, ran in his first touchdown of the night.
FC trailed Riverdale until late into the 2nd quarter. Burdan ran for his third touchdown of the night, putting the Eagles up 28-26.
Burdan, No. 2, carried the ball 12 times for 151 yards of offense, but his biggest impact came from kick returns. He received all but one kickoff, ran and average return of 30 yards and earned a total of 212 special teams yards with one touchdown.
Riverdale answered the Eagles lead with 1:46 left in the first half. FC coaches called a no-huddle offense, but the Eagle drive made it to the Riverdale 36 yard-line before time expired.
The second half saw two more lead changes, including a drive were Stotts, No. 3, ran the ball four times in a row before crossing the goal line. However, the Eagles struggled to stop Riverdale Christian’s No. 21, Coy Boahnnan, ‘20, who ran for 260 yards and two touchdowns.
The game was still in the air at the start of the fourth quarter, as FC trailed Riverdale 42-34. Riverdale’s quarterback, Noah Barrea, ‘21, completed a controversial touchdown pass to Roy Bohannan, ‘21, who FC cornerbacks argued was out-of-bounds.
The Eagles had a chance to regain momentum with nine minutes left, but failed to convert on a fourth down. Riverdale scored the final touchdown of the game with 4:25 remaining, resulting in a final score of 56-34.
Riverdale out-ran FC 340 yards to the Eagles’ 214, and passed for 135 yards compared to the Eagle’s 77 yards through the air.
After the game, Burdan spoke about the positives of this week’s game. Despite the loss, he says spirits are high for next week’s game at Laton.
“It was nice we were finally able to get on the board, we were able to get some good plays,” Burdan said. “Our offense was clicking, we made a couple mental mistakes but that’s just football; we have some momentum heading into next week.”
In the following tweet, Feather journalist Richie Cortez, ’20, interviews Blake Burdan about the homecoming football game, Oct. 4.
Postgame interview with senior running back Blake Burdan, on a back and forth matchup between league opponent Riverdale Christian. This concludes #FCHomecoming19@PAGMETER @P356Loeffler @KingKMPH @agalaviz_TheBee @StephenABC30 @SBemisOnline @corinhoggard @calhisports pic.twitter.com/o2uMIdZ02Q
— Richie Cortez (@richie_cortez9) October 5, 2019
Pregnancy Care Center receives homecoming profits
During homecoming night, each class raised funds to support the nonprofit organization, Pregnancy Care Center, Fresno through the homecoming floats. The center visited the FC campus and shared information about their work and ways to get involved on Oct. 2. The medical center counsels pregnant women and shows support through confidential and free-of-charge services.
Working for the center, Shannon Campbell appreciates the opportunity to share her cause with students. Campbell also shares how she started her involvement with the center.
“It’s so great that we are out here because students have such a huge sphere of influence,” Campbell said. “When students know someone who needs our services they can bridge that gap and stand in the way for life. For me, I had friends who got pregnant and it was important to me when I came to Fresno from Coalinga that I was apart of something that I was passionate about, and I found that in Pregnancy Care Center.”
Sophomore Skylar Higginbotham enjoys supporting nonprofits and informing others about societal issues. Higginbotham shares her enthusiasm over using an annual event and using it to benefit others.
“I think it’s really cool to support nonprofits and help the world around us,” Higginbotham said. “Especially with what’s going on in the world right now like how abortions have gotten really high. I think it’s awesome to support something that the world is forgetting about and it’s really fun that we’re taking the time to shine some light on that.”
Women and men are able to visit the center, whether conflicted about abortion or in need of education and counsel. For more information on classes and services offered by the Pregnancy Care Center, Fresno, check out their website.
Each homecoming float offered the opportunity to donate through a donation jar at each table. The Pregnancy Care Center, Fresno set up an information booth for guests to check out during the game.
The following tweet features an article by Feather journalist Toryn Triplitt, ’20, highlighting the Pregnancy Care Center, Fresno.
The goal of Pregnancy Care Center, Fresno, is to offer love, respect, & education to women & men, helping them make fully informed decisions regarding pregnancy. @FresnoChristian raised money to help @PCCHOPE towards that end during homecoming #thefeatherhttps://t.co/qTLzOQi4t9
— The Feather Online (@thefeather) October 5, 2019
Former junior high math teacher Amy Friesen shares her perspective on supporting the Pregnancy Care Center. Friesen suggests giving to the program through donations or investing time into the organization.
“It’s important for people not expecting a baby to have a place to go and find support,” Friesen said. “It’s nice for students to be able to see that it’s not all just about them and that there are other people out there that they can be supporting. Students can support by donating items or even their time, money and items like that.”
Homecoming court sparkles during half time presentation
With the homecoming football game paused for halftime, the homecoming princess candidates venture out onto the field. Accompanied by their escorts, each princess lines the field while awaiting the announcement of winners.
Riding in on trucks provided by Silva Ford Madera, the princesses were presented before the game while prerecorded speeches played to introduce the contenders. Earlier during homecoming day, students voted for the senior candidates and their individual class candidates.
Congratulations to the homecoming court winners:
Freshman princess: Aubrey Graham
Sophomore princess: Karoline Sandberg
Junior princess: Morgan Parker
Senior princess: Kayla Vanderlineden
Senior queen: Rebekah Micu
Senior prince: Braden Bell
Senior king: Angel Ruelas
Crowned freshman princess, Graham, loved participating in the lunch activities. She was very surprised to win and thanks her class for the opportunity.
“My favorite part of the week was the lunch games,” Graham said. “I’m so surprised and excited to be freshman princess. It was shocking to win; thank you so much to my class, I love you guys.”
Following the princess crownings, the queen candidates rode onto the field in trucks and the senior king and queen candidates were introduced. After each of their speeches played, the homecoming court senior winners were revealed and cheers ensued across the stands.
In the following podcast, Feather journalist Kyle Clem interviews Noah Weimer about the building of the sophomore homecoming float.
Voted homecoming king, Ruelas shares his excitement over the outcome of the royal battle. He is grateful to be chosen to represent the class. Ruelas plans on taking a gap year after graduating high school to pursue his passion for soccer.
“My favorite part of the week was the royal battle,” Ruelas said. “I felt shocked and joyful to win, I was not expecting it. Thanks to you guys, I am looking forward to the rest of year. This being my last homecoming it’s a different atmosphere; it’s great but sad at the same time.”
Vanderlinden enjoyed participating in the queen dance. After her being awarded of senior princess, she reflects on the week of homecoming festivities with fond memories.
“The queen dance was my favorite part of homecoming week,” Vanderlinden said. “It felt good to win princess, I love my class and I feel honored to be chosen. Homecoming is my favorite week of the year and this was a great way to spend my last one.”
Visitors, students, alumni enjoy festivities
Homecoming is the largest high school event, drawing the most attendance of any first semester high school function. With attendees ranging from students to parents to alumni, activities such as floats and the football game help to entertain visitors.
Tryphena Gunawan, ‘23, participated in FC band for her fourth year. As Gunawan’s 8th year at FCS, she enjoys the opportunity to play the clarinet in front of a larger audience. During the game, band plays various songs such as “Bad Guy” and “Thriller”.
”Playing at homecoming is a really fun experience,” Gunawan said. “It is different from most football games because there is a bigger audience and we usually get to play more songs. I enjoy being able to perform with my friends, not only in the clarinet section but as a whole band.”
Father to Carston Saelzler, ‘21, and Cooper Saelzler, ‘23, Jason Saelzler enjoys attending homecoming games because of the friendly atmosphere and how the FCS community comes together.
“I have probably been to five homecoming games,” Saelzler said. “One of the things I enjoy most about these events is the community. The school comes out and supports, and I get to spend time with my friends. My favorite memory from homecoming was when my son was a freshman. That year, we hosted the freshman float building and they ended up winning, so that was memorable.”
Last year’s homecoming prince, alumnus Alexander Rurik, ‘19, returned to visit classmates. Rurik shares the fond memories that this year’s homecoming brought back.
“It was really fun to see all of my friends tonight after not seeing them for awhile,” Rurik said. “My favorite homecoming memory is when it rained super hard a couple of years ago. Homecoming is pretty much the same since my freshman year but it seems like the school made more of an effort to welcome back alumni.”
An FCS parents, Nicole (Jeffries) Medeiros shares why she values homecoming.
“I think it’s a great event,” Medeiros said. “Since our school is kindergarten to 12th, they have events, different competitions and all the things that kids can be involved in like the floats and the little mini floats for the elementary school. It’s just fun that color guard is here, cheer is going on and the kings and queens.”
In the following podcast, Feather journalist Celeste Castaneda interviews Amy Friesen on the importance of the Pregnancy Care Center, Fresno.
Students unite to build floats
Through the weeks leading up to homecoming festivities, each class constructed their floats, replicating their assigned games. The board games selected for each class include Candyland for seniors, Monopoly for Juniors, Battleship for sophomores and Clue for freshman. Following the judging of each float, the results concluded with the sophomores in first, seniors in second, juniors in third and freshman in fourth place.
Alexis Baker, ‘21, volunteered her home for the building of the junior float. Baker enjoyed the opportunity to see her class come together and create a float under a limited time span.
“My favorite part would probably be the lights and all the painting involved,” Baker said; “but also seeing everyone come together for it. I think that we did the best we could with the time we were able to put in here. I think that it ended up better than most people expected it to be.”
The following tweet features some pictures of each float during final preparations for homecoming.
Are you ready for homecoming? Student prepare their board game-themed floats for #FChomecoming19, Oct. 4. The homecoming princesses will be introduced at 6:30 p.m. with the football game starting at 7 p.m. Come out and support your Eagles! #thefeather @fresnochristian pic.twitter.com/wlyz6r6duy
— The Feather Online (@thefeather) October 5, 2019
Sophomore Noah Weimer enjoyed the process of constructing his class’s float and the ability to construct a boat on a trailer. Weimer believes the sophomore float turned out the best out of all the floats.
The senior’s float aimed for a fantasy environment, surrounded by a trail of candy and a forest consisting of lollipop trees. The junior’s float, highlighted by a life size Monopoly board, featured properties, game pieces and a jail available for pictures.
The sophomore float included a miniature battleship and a functioning water feature that squirts water at visitors. The freshman float featured multiple rooms from the classic game Clue. In addition to these rooms, students acted out the board game, allowing viewers to participate in the murder mystery.
“I think it turned out really good,” Weimer said. “I think it’s better than last year’s and I think we have a chance at winning. I think there are some very good floats out here, but I think ours is the best. That might be some bias from my point of view though. Building the boat was probably the most fun because most people don’t build boats and put them on a trailer.”
To read last year’s homecoming article, check out Homecoming Happily Ever After: 34th annual FC homecoming.
The video below shows a wrap up of the night of Homecoming:
For daily recaps leading up to homecoming, read the following photo posts:
Recap day 1: Mismatch Monday
Recp day 2: Twin Tuesday
Recap day 3: One Color Wednesday
Recap day 4: Sports Day Thursday
For more articles, read EDITORIAL: Students impact public discussion, face attacks or COLUMN: Language barrier, culture, grandparent death shape international student.
The slideshow below includes images from the 35th annual FC homecoming, Oct. 4.