Del Norte Nighthawks celebrating homecoming

By Elizabeth Marie Himchak

The community is welcome to join the Del Norte Nighthawks in their James Bond-themed homecoming celebration on Friday.

The annual parade will be 11:50 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Friday, Oct. 11 along Deer Ridge Road in 4S Ranch. ASB Adviser Allison Basehore said there will be “rolling closures” of streets in the area and those wanting to watch the parade need to park on side streets near the school, not in the Del Norte High parking lot or along the campus’ perimeter.

On Friday night Del Norte will take on the Valley Center Jaguars in Nighthawk Stadium, 16601 Nighthawk Lane, with the junior varsity football kickoff at 4:30 p.m. and the varsity game starting at 7 p.m. Tickets are $5 for students and seniors, and $7 for general admission. During halftime the float building competition winners will be announced and the king and queen crowned.

The homecoming king candidates are seniors Beau Mandell, Tufan Nadjafi and Noah Yavitch. The queen candidates are seniors Bailey Athan, Bree Bolelli and Courtland Keith. Other homecoming court members are juniors Kai Hasson and Jourdan Jackson, sophomores Elijah Abrenica and Carter Hackett, and freshmen Brady Grewe and Sabrina Pascua.

Basehore said throughout homecoming week there are James Bond-related spirit activities such as “Skyfall Shades Day” and “Guys in Ties, Girls in Skirts.” In addition to each class decorating a float for the parade, classes encouraged students to participate in Penny Wars and dining out nights.

Through Penny Wars the classes earn points for each penny deposited in their jar and lose points for every “silver coin” — nickel, dime or quarter. “So kids earn positive points by dropping pennies into their classes’ jars and sabotage the other classes by putting silver into the others’ (jars),” she said.

As for dining out, that is a partnership with Miguel’s Cocina, Jamba Juice and Brett’s BBQ. The restaurants donated a portion of their sales on particular days to Friends & Family Community Connection on Del Norte’s behalf, Basehore said.

Del Norte’s homecoming festivities will conclude on Saturday when students gather in the school gymnasium for their “From Russia with Love” dance.