Students and families crowded the Dave Merrill Stadium to attend the senior night for both football and cheer, as well as the crowning of this year’s homecoming king and queen on Oct. 21.
Football captain Daniel Zarzosa (12), shares how memorable the night was for him and how it serves as a monumental milestone in his life.
“This last game was so special to me,” Zarzosa said. “It is hard to believe that four years ago when I joined the team I watched all the seniors have their senior night and now my time has finally come.”
This game, according to Zarzosa, was a bittersweet close to the season and his overall high school football career. However, his senior season was particularly special.
“Some highlights of this season were seeing [moments] when we would all do our job and see glimpses of how good of a team we could have been,” Zarzosa said. “I hope my teammates learned through their years that discipline, consistency… and the will to never give up, no matter what happens is key to victory.”
Moving forward, Zarzosa will compete in wrestling and track and field to continue to better himself as an athlete and person.
Similarly, cheer captain Bryanna Manzo (12), celebrated her last Friday night lights game with her sisters, mom, teammates and closest friends all supporting her in the stands.
“It was sad… cheering [for the last time] for a football team I have been cheering for the past four years,” Manzo said. “[With that being said,] my favorite part about the senior night was getting to spend time with my fellow seniors and cheer mates for our last ever football game.”
As captain, Manzo hopes she can pass on the lessons she learned from her four years in cheer in order to leave a positive impact on her team.
“Throughout the last four years in this program, I learned how to not be hard on myself, take things one step at a time, be patient with myself to see good results and be more confident overall,” Manzo said.
Additionally, recently named Homecoming King Max Padilla (12), explains how surreal and unforgettable the entire night was.
“I was so shocked the moment my name was called, and I did not know where to go…because it just did not feel real,” Padilla said. “The week leading up to the game was so much fun and the preparations and long dance practices made me get really close to the other 9 court members.”
Padilla also adds how the people there to support him made the entire night all the more special.
“Everyone I cared about was there like my grandpa and my mom,” Padilla said. “[It was also really special that] Mrs. Branconier was the one who announced my name since I have known her for such a long time. I am really grateful for that night overall.”
For all three seniors, the game was a special time to take in some of their final moments as high school students.
