Socorro ISD students, families, and alumni celebrated the 2021 homecoming festivities by showing their school spirit at various events around East El Paso and the Lower Valley.
Six Socorro ISD comprehensive high schools and Mission Early College High School had a week’s worth of dress up days, parades, games, and dances.
“Everyone in the school communities coming together helped restore a sense of community after a year of social distancing and safety precautions,” Socorro ISD officials shared.
Socorro High School
The Socorro High School Bulldogs celebrated their homecoming Aug. 30 through Sept. 4 with the theme Hollywood Hits Socorro. The homecoming parade and the pep rally were on Sept. 2.
“Today is an exciting day for everyone,” said Ignacio Estorga, principal at Socorro High School. “The weather is beautiful, the school spirit is off the charts, and I am just so excited to celebrate with the students at Socorro High School in what will hopefully be an unforgettable school year.”
Their homecoming football game against the Ysleta Indians was Sept. 3 at the SISD Student Activities Complex. The homecoming dance was Sept. 4 in the new Socorro High School cafeteria.
Angel Sera, a senior and member of the Socorro High School boys’ basketball team, was excited to participate in his final homecoming festivities.
“Homecoming is an exciting time for everyone in the Socorro community,” Sera said. “This is my last year in high school, so I am glad to be able to participate in the parade.”
Socorro High School homecoming parade photos
Pebble Hills High School
The Pebble Hills Spartans celebrated their homecoming Sept. 7 through 11 with a Broadway theme. Their homecoming parade was Sept. 8.
“I really enjoy displaying my school spirit and making memories,” said Isabelle Flores, a junior at Pebble Hills High School and a student in the Sparta Business Academy.
The Spartans won their homecoming football game against the El Dorado Aztecs Sept. 10 at the SAC. The homecoming dance was Sept. 11 in the Pebble Hill High School patio, which had a theme of Wicked – There’s No Place Like Homecoming.
Christal Ortiz, a mother of a freshman on the wrestling team and a senior in color guard, said her family is tight-knit with the SISD community and she loves that.
“It was cool,” Ortiz said. “We look forward to coming every year.”
Pebble Hills High School homecoming parade photos
El Dorado High School
El Dorado High School had its homecoming festivities Sept. 13 through 18, with the theme Cirque du Aztec Soleil. Their homecoming parade was Sept. 15.
“I believe it is so important to show our support to these students as they transition back to in-person learning,” said Tiffany McCormick, a teacher at Paso del Norte Elementary School and a parent of an El Dorado High School student. “Being able to see the kids enjoy these types of events warms my heart, and I am so grateful to be part of it.”
The Aztecs won their homecoming football game against the Clint Lions Sept. 17 at the SAC. The homecoming dance was Sept. 17 in the El Dorado High School patio.
The homecoming celebrations were just as special to some parents as they were for the students. El Dorado parent Alma Nevarez enjoyed the celebrations.
“This is a special day for us because my son was named homecoming king,” Nevarez said “Thankfully, we can celebrate these special moments together after everything we’ve been through last year.”
El Dorado High School homecoming parade photos
Americas High School
The Americas High School Trailblazers celebrated their homecoming Sept. 20 through 25 with the theme Trailblazer Rewind, in celebration of the school’s 25-year anniversary. Their homecoming parade was Sept. 23.
“I get a little emotional because it’s so great after everything over the past year and a half to see everybody here and to be able to celebrate,” said Americas High School student activities director Lorraine Varela. “It’s just awesome.”
Their homecoming football game against the Eastlake Falcons was Sept. 24 at the SAC. The homecoming dance with the theme of All That and the ‘90s was Sept. 25 in the Americas High School courtyard.
Alexa Rivera, a kindergartner at Loma Verde Elementary School, sat with her family to watch her older brother as he passed by in the marching band during the parade.
“I liked the parade because I had fun with my family,” Rivera said. I was happy to see the floats and collect a lot of candy.”
Americas High School homecoming parade photos
Mission Early College High School
Mission Early College High School celebrated its homecoming Sept. 20 through 25, with the theme Casino Nights. Their homecoming pep rally was Sept. 24 and the homecoming dance was Sept. 25 outside the El Paso Community College – Mission Campus.
“It feels so good to see our kiddos celebrate homecoming together,” said Drew Dungan, students activities director for Mission Early College High School. “The campus has so much life in the air, the kids have been preparing so much for these special events.”
The homecoming festivities brought a new hope for students, the community, and faculty and staff after a long period of social distancing.
“I believe homecoming signifies unity as a Phoenix family,” said Andrea Veliz, a senior and student body president at Mission Early College High School. “It is a very special experience for all of us, and I hope we can bring the community together with these types of events.”
Mission Early College High School homecoming parade photos
Eastlake High School
Eastlake High School celebrated its homecoming Sept. 27 through Oct. 2 with a Hollywood Nights theme. Their homecoming parade was Sept. 29.
“School spirit is very important and as a cheerleader I have a lot of school spirit,” said Anahi Hernandez, a freshman and cheerleader at Eastlake High School. “It makes people happy and it’s nice to see that on their faces.”
The Falcons won their homecoming football game against the Americas Trailblazers Oct. 1. at the SAC. The homecoming dance was Oct. 2 in the Eastlake High School patio.
Erika Jimenez, the mother of sophomore twins at Eastlake High School, said she enjoyed watching them take part in the parade.
“I think it’s a parents dream to see their kids participate,” Jimenez said. “All of the kids in the Eastlake area are super sweet and have been super accepting of my children and that’s all you can ask for as a parent of children with special needs.”
Eastlake High School homecoming parade photos
Montwood High School
The Montwood High School homecoming was Sept. 27 through Oct. 2 set to the theme RAMchella. The parade and carnival were celebrated on Sept. 29 at the school. A pep rally took place during school on Oct. 1.
“This homecoming season is more special than ever,” said Alondra Romero, Montwood High School senior and student body president. “We sold out of our homecoming tickets within two days because nobody wants to miss anything we may have taken for granted before.”
Their homecoming football game against the Franklin Cougars was Oct. 1 at the SAC. The homecoming dance was Oct. 2 in the Montwood High School courtyard.
Iris Lopez, a 2005 graduate from Montwood High School, was selected to participate in the parade as the school’s outstanding alumni.
“It’s an honor to be selected as Montwood High School’s outstanding alumni,” Lopez said. “It feels nice to be back at my alma mater and see how much it has changed over the years.”
