Jayden Kay Linayao
Homecoming King Josh Marinas and Homecoming Queen Jayda Juanillo standing beside Board of Trustees Member Mr. Hoshi moments after being crowned during the halftime show.
During their Homecoming Football game, the Centurions unfortunately fell to West Torrance High on September 19, 2025 with a final score of 28-33. Despite the loss, the fans lit up the stands in neon attire following the theme “Glowchella” in a bright, festival inspired student section celebrating the nature of Homecoming and the effort of the team.
During halftime, the Advanced Dance team brought the energy back to the field with a vibrant performance, dancing to a variety of tracks, including popular songs “Gnarly” by KATSEYE and “Dead Dance” by Lady Gaga. The performance also featured surprise appearances by
Cypress faculty and staff, with crowd favorite Board of Trustees Member Mr. Hoshi joined in with a solo moment in the middle of the field. “The energy is always super high and contagious. It’s hard not to have a good time both performing and watching the halftime dance,” said Senior Genesis Rivera, Cypress High’s Advanced Dance team Co-Captain.
The halftime show also included the anxiously awaited crowning of this year’s Homecoming King, Senior Josh Marinas, and Queen, Senior Jayda Juanillo who waved to the crowd under the bright stadium lights joined by their competitors and underclassmen court. “I’m really grateful for the opportunity of winning and being able to see all of the support from my friends and family,” said Marinas. “It’s such a blessing and I’m really happy that I got to be apart of this experience.” Despite the final score, student spirit remained high throughout the night, as fans showed up in glow stick bracelets, neon vests, and recent festival-inspired outfits such as cowboy hats and sunglasses.
The homecoming celebration energy passed over to the following Saturday night, September 20, 2025, with a dance hosted at the House of Blues at the Anaheim Garden Walk with the theme “Sound Check” implying concert and festival attire. The event brought festival energy indoors with fun desserts such as brownies and bread pudding, photo booth, and dance floor downstairs, and for those who needed a moment of people-watching, there was seating with a view of the dance floor upstairs.
Students arrived in a range of outfits, from classic homecoming dresses with bright colors, heels, and sequins and sparkles, to outfits matching the festival theme with western boots, cowboy hats, and leather accents.
“It feels very bittersweet,” said Senior Eva Rios. “I know that I’m not going to have and experience like this ever again–being a teenager, and having wholesome fun with with my friends, and it’s also a time to reflect on the people that mean the most to me.”
Despite the scoreboard, the true victory of Homecoming this year was the memories that were made in the weekend of glowing lights and dancing.