Written by MACY WESTCOAT

Homecoming is back again, and this year, the celebration was bigger than ever. This year, Leadership took Knights on a cross-country road trip, stopping at all the nation’s favorite destinations: the Flashy Freshmen in Hollywood, the Soho-bound Sophomores in New York City, the Rootin’ Tootin’ Juniors in Dallas and the High-rolling Seniors in Las Vegas.

Starting off strong on Monday, Sept. 28, students came to school in their comfy road trip attire. The school was buzzing with talk of the newly decorated hallways. “The week before Hoco, everyone is really excited and happy, and the overall feeling of school gets better.” said sophomore Francisca Barragan. After school, grades charged into the Amazing Race, determined to take home the illustrious Knight’s Cup. Students weaved throughout the school, completing a mix of classic challenges, like the beloved t-shirt bucket race, as well as new challenges. In the end, the Seniors pulled through with a strong win in the Amazing Race, securing them points towards the Cup.

To keep the hype going on Tuesday, students arrived at Las Lomas sporting their class shirts. At lunch, students received LL-themed air fresheners for their next road trip in an ASB giveaway, but the real fun began under the lights after school. The flag football tournament was undeniably action-packed, with the Seniors conquering the game and scoring points towards the Knights Cup. The Senior boys also secured their grade points for their class through their spectacular victory in the Powder Puff halftime dances. Each grade’s performance included modern songs, cohesive moves and daring tricks and flips, but the Seniors’ creative choreography helped them pull ahead of the game.

Wednesday gave students a break from the festivities to relax and practice for their upcoming events. Students dressed in Nantucket-themed attire, and after school, grades spent their last few hours of practice polishing their Mock Rock routines. Freshmen walked the red carpet in red, white and black, with tutus and microphone props. Sightseeing Sophomores were decked out in yellow, black and I♥️NY shirts, dressed as tourists and taxi drivers. It ain’t the juniors’ first rodeo for Mock Rock, showing up in decorated cowboy boots and red flannels. Dressed as bellhops, brides and beauties, the senior showgirls (and showguys) were determined to crush their last Mock Rock.

On Thursday, every hallway was filled with tourists from all over the country, as students dressed according to their class theme, with Mock Rock participants already in their costumes. As soon as the lunch bell rang, students flooded to the football field to fill the stands. Students danced, flipped and cheered across the football field, exuding the excitement that Homecoming is known for at Las Lomas. That excitement flowed into the Downtown performance after school, where students danced in the middle of Broadway Plaza Road. In the end, after some fierce competition from the other grades, the Seniors pulled out a win. However, all four grades were a hit with the Downtown Walnut Creek crowds. “They did incredible,” said Las Lomas parent Jessica Jurgens.

Friday brought more Knights spirit than ever before, with students decked out in LL gear and multiple 75th Anniversary celebratory events. Leadership held the always-peppy rally at lunch, but the real highlight of the day was that night’s football game against Alhambra High School. Students were covered in gold and maroon sparkles and paint, and “Let’s Go Knights” rocked the stadium bleachers. Seniors kept the energy up with their Mock Rock routine at halftime, and the Knights kept that energy with them, bringing home a victory for Las Lomas.

As the culmination of the weeklong festivities, Saturday started off with a bang with Cars and Coffee in the Las Lomas Parking lot that morning. The LL community brought in amazing cars to show off. With students awake and excited, the Homecoming dance preparations began. Students often get ready with friends, and many take that time together to do their hair or makeup, take photos, or grab a snack before they head to the dance. “Getting ready with my friends is always so fun,” said Senior Claire Dillon. “I look forward to it every year”. This year, the Homecoming festivities had more variety than ever before, with the dance including inflatable games, henna and airbrush artists, food trucks, multiple photobooths, and a DJ in the gym, where students danced the night away. he road to Homecoming may have been full of twists, turns and tourists, but no one does Homecoming like Las Lomas.