Colton, CA—Rain. Threats of thunder and lightning storms. Colton’s annual Homecoming couldn’t be stopped.
“The weather doesn’t exist,” said ASB Director Alex Buskirk. “It’s not our problem.”
The busy day included a pep rally during fifth period, the annual Homecoming parade in the late afternoon, and the Homecoming football game against local rival Grand Terrace High that night.
Normally, just these events by themselves would be chaotic enough, but at around 1 p.m., rain and thunder struck Colton.
The pep rally, held indoors in the Hubbs gym, was unaffected by the weather. But the rain, which came on and off the rest of the afternoon, impacted the parade, and had administrators constantly checking weather updates due to concerns about lightning storms. A community wide email was sent by administration at 4:27 p.m. advising families and attendees of the Homecoming football game of the possibility of lightning.
With only a few changes, the parade, which started at 5:30 p.m., went as planned. The fleet of Corvettes that usually escort the Homecoming court along the parade route was cancelled due to concerns about the rain damaging car interiors. The Homecoming court gathered as a group in the back of a truck.
By game time, the rain passed and the football game and Homecoming halftime show were unaffected by weather.
At halftime, seniors Kassandra Romo and Colton Kagarise were crowned Homecoming Queen and King.
Pep Rally highlighted by performances and pageantry
While soaked chaos ensued outside the Hubbs, inside the Homecoming pep rally reveled in the spirit of Mardi Gras. ASB decked out the gym in green, purple, black and gold, creating a festive environment for student performances and the announcement of the 2025 Homecoming Court.
Performances included the choir singing the National Anthem with NJROTC presenting the colors; cheer turned up the school spirit with a routine; dance numbers by both the Hip-Hop club and Feel the Rhythm; a song by Grupo Afortunado; and a performance by the CHS band of the NFL’s theme song and the CHS alma mater.
Volunteers from each class were selected to participate in games, which included “Head, Shoulders, Knees . . . Beads,” and a balloon popping game. Contestants, like Gilbert Chavez, Nevaeh Johnson and Miguel Segura had balloons tied to their legs, then the last one to remain with their balloon unpopped was declared the winner.
Football, pumped up for the evening game, and Volleyball, who recently qualified for the CIF playoffs, were celebrated. Students were encouraged to wear all-black that evening for the annual “Blackout” game.
The climax of the rally was the presentation of the 2025 Homecoming Court. Court included freshman prince and princess Isaac Barrios and Raylynn Olmos; sophomore prince and princess Joseph Elias and Aubrey Bahena; and junior prince and princess Xavier Monroy and Destiny Hidalgo.
The senior court was presented last in pairs: Kassandra Romo and Colton Kagarise; Aubree Gonzales and Julian Gonzales; Yesenia Nunez and Yulior Zamora; Alexis Cartagena and Christian Jason; and Jaylene Marquez and Isaiah Ruiz.
Parade persists despite weather
With the rain falling intermittently, causing the Corvette fleet to cancel, banners to become waterlogged, and general discomfort from the water and humidity, the sidewalks alongside Rancho Avenue were lined with spectators for a memorable Homecoming parade.
Students, staff and parents combined to make sure the parade went off as planned to honor the student body, Homecoming royalty, and the Colton community. They decorated floats and vehicles, tossed candy for the kids, rode bicycles, and brought the Colton pride.
Participants this year included NJROTC, marching band, and cheer, with floats from school and community organizations: Girl Scouts, micro Yellowjackets football and cheer, CHS Choir, volleyball, girls’ soccer, Tomorrow’s Leaders, CJUSD leadership, the classes of 2026, 2027, 2028 and 2029, the Miss Colton Pageant, and the Colton police and fire departments.
Marching band performed multiple numbers during the parade, including a rendition of Billie Eilish’s “Bad Guy,” the fight song “On Wisconsin,” James Blunt’s “Monster” and the NFL theme song.
Homecoming halftime crowns new royalty
For the “Blackout” game against Grand Terrace High School, Yellowjackets showed up in all black, ready for the rivalry matchup.
At halftime, the new Homecoming King and Queen were revealed: Colton Kagarise and Kassandra Romo.
The ceremony was highlighted by ASB’s mardi gras decorations at midfield, which included a giant balloon arch, light up letters, and red carpet. Marching band and NJROTC created a pathway for the Homecoming court to walk down the red carpet during introductions.
Colton football lost the competitive game to rival Grand Terrace 23-19, but like the rain, this did not dampen the school spirit.