Story by Uma Chakraborty & Harriet Godson
Staff Writers

Photo by Emiko Essmiller
Online Managing Editor

The annual SPHS homecoming assembly and picnic took place on Friday, Oct. 17 for the 2025–26 school year. The assembly provided an engaging atmosphere that prepared students for the picnic. The picnic lasted from 1:15 to 2:30 p.m., and students could buy goods sold by over 60 clubs. The picnic allowed clubs to earn their greatest revenue in the year. 

ASB ran the homecoming assembly that was split between two time periods. The band performed songs as students filled the Anderson Auditorium. Senior Commissioner of Assemblies Baron Shroff kicked the assembly with a traditional class roll call and introduced junior Diya Lakshman to sing the national anthem. Advanced hip hop performed shortly after to a mix of popular songs.

Senior class Vice President Sean Kang then led class competitions that consisted of each class representative wearing a wig while actively trying to take the competitor’s off. The juniors emerged victorious in the first assembly while the seniors prevailed in the second assembly. Following the class competition, Pep JV song came out to perform a dance to the song Rock That Body by the Black Eyed Peas. Varsity Song danced to Piece of Me by Brittney Spears and Shroff then introduced the homecoming court through a video.

Shroff interviewed the court while playing sushi roulette. With six pieces of sushi on the plate, one was filled with a great amount of wasabi, leading contestants to fear each bite. Shroff interviewed freshman Liam Painter, sophomore Kayla Yau, junior Claire Vitt, and seniors Isabelle Huang, Elizabeth Chung, and Leila Wahbe.

Senior Commissioner of Spirit Ellis Kim then introduced nominees of the homecoming court following the performances by Pep. Court members walked down the auditorium rows accompanied by a friend or sibling, while a description of themselves is spoken over the speaker. 

The assembly concluded with performances from Pep, Dance advanced jazz, a teacher skit led by drama, and the football captains giving a mid-season report. Students sang the alma mater before leaving the auditorium that dismissed them to their fourth or sixth period.

Food offered at the homecoming picnic ranged from garlic knots and instant noodles to various different types of drinks and treats. For example, Speech and Debate sold dirty sodas, and Coastal Cleanup sold ocean-themed Jell-O cups. Many clubs sold more meal foods: Rock Climbing Club sold tomato soup, and Orchestra sold Buldak ramen.

Students roamed around Diamond Avenue and the school’s numbered walkway buying food with their pre-purchased tickets (or tickets bought at the picnic). SPHS students additionally enjoyed live music played by the band on the field near the inflatables. The blocked-off section on the street was filled with crowds of students waiting in line to buy fries, pizza, matcha, ice cream, and much more.