Story by Kamillah Morales
Staff Writer
Photos by Adrian Lopez
Staff Photographer
SPHS students gathered in the auditorium on Friday, Oct. 16, to celebrate the upcoming homecoming dance. Classes were cut to an hour and five minutes to make room for the assembly, which was split into two different times. Performances by Advanced hip-hop, flag, pep, and more were all featured. Additionally, the 2026 homecoming court was announced.
The SPHS marching band played an array of songs while students filed in. Junior Commissioner of Assemblies Denis Blekhman opened the assembly pretending to be lost in the swamp and trying to find his way to the bayou, which teased the homecoming theme, “Night on the Bayou.”
Many performances were brought to the assembly. The first was the National Anthem, sung as a duet cover by senior Logan Burmood and senior Lucien Hulme. Advanced hip-hop followed after, displaying a rhythmic dance to the songs Bring the Pain by Missy Elliot (feat. Method Man) and SaWaDiKa by LISA. Then, junior varsity flags swung their flags to the classic, Let’s Groove by Earth, Wind & Fire, and varsity flag performed Be My Baby by the Ronettes.
ASB then showcased a festive video which gave a recap on the recent spirit week through a collage of photos of students playing games, dressing up with friends, and sharing school spirit. Freshman Marisol Barba, sophomore Inah Chang, and junior Isaac Wong were all part of the underclassmen homecoming court interviews, which consisted of fun questions worded as a Google search meant to introduce the members to the student body.
JV and varsity yell danced and performed stunts to Time of Our Lives by Pitbull & Ne-Yo and Perfect (Exceeder) by Mason & Princess Superstar. Commissioner of Athletics Kelsey West followed with a few quick shoutouts to fall sports, including girls’ flag football for competing their first season in South Pasadena history, boys’ cross country’s senior Michael Scarince for taking first place out of 111 of top runners in the state, girls’ cross country for taking second place out of 22 teams, and boys’ water polo for taking the victory against Monrovia on their senior night as well as heading into playoffs. West also brought up the football team captains, seniors Jacob Scott and Lorenzo Jones, to talk about their emotions going into their upcoming game against Gabrielino High School.
Health and Wellness Officers Ruby Foudy and Rafa Estolano-Shridharan then informed students about Breast Cancer Awareness Month in a video. After, JV and varsity song were the final performers and danced using pom-pons to CRAZY by LE SSERAFIM and No Broke Boys by Disco Line and Tinashe.
The senior homecoming court interview featured seniors Abigail Kim, Batia Lou, and Tsutomu Vega. They were asked the same questions as the underclassmen, and had three court members representing their grade rather than one. Each court member experienced a heartfelt moment as they walked down the aisles and onto the stage, escorted by a student of their choosing, while a song of their choice played. Marisol Barba was escorted by London Pei, Inah Chang was escorted by Jay Plake, Isaac Wong was escorted by Nolan Walker, Abigail Kim was escorted by Noah Kim, Batia Lou was escorted by Elliana Lou, and Tsutomu Vega was escorted by Zabe Lee.
The assembly concluded with junior class president Kayla Yau giving final homecoming announcements and the Alma Mater.