With Cub football giving faithful fans plenty to cheer about, Clifton High School’s 2023 Homecoming crowns Queen Arreola and King Anderson during festivities in jam-packed Cub Stadium
CLIFTON – A joyous Clifton High School Spirit Week of dressing up differently each day, from Rhyme without Reason, Favorite Holiday, to Country versus Country Club, Color Day and Extreme Green culminated in a completely packed Cub Stadium on Friday night to see the first Cub home game with Homecoming festivities.
The stands and standing room in front of the concession stand made for a sea of green, with green T-shirts, green hats, beads, massive mums and other accessories. One young man took extreme green to the next level, painting himself green from head to toe. While Homecoming celebrates the school’s alumni, it also celebrates its Homecoming Court nominees and their plans for the future.
Before the evening’s activities at Cub Stadium, the district-wide Green Out Pep Rally filled the gym and Carl Anderson received the 2023 Homecoming King crown. After graduating from Clifton High School, Anderson wants to attend the University of Arkansas and major in Journalism.
At halftime, with an army of photographing and videoing proud parents and friends, elegantly dressed Homecoming Court nominees and their escorts walked down the 50-yard line as the evening’s MC informed the crowd of their interests, hobbies and plans for the future.
A Baylor University freshman studying Political Science with plans to become a lawyer, last year’s Homecoming Queen Kelsey Wetegrove crowned this year’s Homecoming Queen, senior Ana Arreola. Ana is the daughter of Ana and Marco Arreola, and was escorted by her dad. She is involved in the National Honor Society, and is member of the CHS band. She enjoys playing tennis, reading, listening to music and eating out with friends and family. After high school she plans to attend college to earn a business degree and become an accountant.
The second senior nominee Laylah Gaona, daughter of Sandra and Tony Gaona, was escorted by her father. Laylah is involved in cross country, volleyball, basketball, softball and track. She enjoys spending time with family and friends. After high school she intends to go to college and become a radiologist.
Third senior nominee Amy Garcia, daughter of Rosie Hernandez and Eric Garcia was escorted by her mother. Amy is involved in NHS, Golf and Tennis. She is also a football trainer and basketball manager. Amy also enjoys helping Mrs. Jones, Musselman, and Ernst and Mr. Gloff in the press box, hanging out with “her girls,” family reunions, watching the Clifton Cubs play on Friday nights, and having conversations with Mrs. Cathcart. After high school, Amy intends to attend college to study Criminal Justice.
The fourth senior nominee Brianna Gonzalez, daughter of Erica and Jesus Gonzalez, was escorted by her dad. At CHS, Brianna is involved in NHS, volleyball, basketball and track. When she is not practicing or watching sports she enjoys hiking, reading, watching Youtube blogs or documentaries and spending time with family and friends. Brianna intends to study Kinesiology at ta four-year University to become a Physical Therapist.
Daughter of Todd and Lacy King, Elly represented the Class of 2025. Her father escorted her down the field. At CHS, Elly is involved in powerlifting, Future Farmers of America and is a trainer for the football team. She enjoys working out, spending time with friends and family, showing at the county fair, participating in Edge at the Clifton First Baptist Church and being a good role model to her younger sisters. After high school she plans to attend the University of Mary Hardin-Baylor to study Exercise Physiology.
Also representing the Junior Class is Jocelyn Ramirez, daughter of Juan Ramirez, who escorted her. Jocelyn can be seen along the side lines of all football practices and games as football trainer. She enjoys traveling to new places, playing video games, spending time with family and supporting the football team. After high school, Jocelyn intends to attend a college close to home and pursue a career in the dental field.
Representing the Clifton High School Sophomore Class Madison Porter, daughter of Patty and Michael Porter. She was escorted by both her parents. Madison is involved in Yearbook, University Interscholastic League competitions in Spelling and Ready Writing. She enjoys photography, going to concerts and spending time with friends. After high school she plans to get a PhD in Clinical Psychology.
Sophie Ritzmann also represented the Class of 2026 in this year’s Homecoming Court. She is the daughter of Tricia and Josh Ritzmann and her father escorted her down the 50-yard line. Sophie is involved in volleyball, basketball, softball, track and Family, Career and Community Leaders of America. She enjoys spending time with friends and family, cleaning her room, painting, swimming and writing. At this time, Sophie knows she wants to attend a four-year college to earn a degree, but is still investigating which field of study to pursue.
Representing the Freshman Class Pepper Mayfield, daughter of Courtney and Chip Mayfield, is involved in volleyball, basketball, cheer and track, softball and FCCLA. She enjoys mentoring her pen pal for the Alopecia Justice League, reading, hanging out with her best friend Brystal and her mom. After high school Pepper plans to attend Vanderbilt University to study Biology and Biochemistry to eventually become a general surgeon. Her father Chip Mayfield escorted her down the field.
Also representing the Class of 2027, Skylar Johnson Rush was escorted by her mother Amber Jones and father Christopher Rodin. Skylar participates in FCCLA and loves making rubber band bracelets, riding her four-wheeler and helping her Paw Paw on the farm. While she is still investigating her career choices, Skylar knows she wants to attend college.
The festive evening at Cub Stadium ended in a convincing 33-0 Cub win over Rio Vista, exuberant ringing of the bell and a spectacular performance by the Clifton High School Band and Color Guard. But the fun was not over yet, as the high school students were invited to the post-Homecoming Bash at the Clifton Civic Center; another chance to celebrate the Homecoming Court nominees and the victorious Cubs football team.
Photos by SIMONE WICHERS-VOSS
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