CARLSBAD UNIFIED CONNECTIONS

Hoopcoming, the biggest event of the year at Sage Creek High School. Student-led and student-run, it represents the Bobcats at their best.

The ASB works for months to plan and organize Hoopcoming week, involving the entire student body. “Our goal is to bring the community together,” said ASB teacher Valerie Tapia. “Sports add fun, hype, and excitement, and Hoopcoming builds school spirit. We don’t have football here at SCHS, but we have our basketball teams. Carlsbad High School has its Lancer Day, we have our Hoopcoming.”

All week long, students celebrated with fun activities like “Dress Like a Minion Day” and “Dress Like Your Teacher Day.”

Then, on Friday, students decked out in SCHS swag joined together for a boisterous pep rally, with music, cheerleaders, and the announcement of the freshman, sophomore, and junior royalty. And there were games – human bowling using scooters, mattress races, and a basketball shooting competition between staff and students. The Hoopcoming pep rally recognized all of SCHS’s fall teams and athletes, and it also celebrated Girls Volleyball’s first-place victory in the Avocado League West.

Aidan Tapia, ASB vice president, was in charge of the pep rally. “We try to bring everyone together, give everyone a platform, and just have fun doing it.”

After that came the carnival. Local elementary and middle school students were invited to join the Bobcats for some fun. The Confident Girls Club had a Fishy Toss booth, the Southeast Asian students painted henna designs, and the Key Club and Girls Rising ran Ping Pong Ball Toss booths. There was a popular (but messy!) Pie in the Face booth, a Ring Toss (win a soda), Eat a Croissant (no hands!), Musical Chairs (with live music!), and Axe Throwing (don’t worry, it was plastic.) The longest line of the afternoon seemed to be at the Drippin Kitchen food truck, owned and operated by an alum of Sage Creek’s first graduating class.

It was ASB’s Kailynn Merino-Ott’s third year working on the carnival. “I thrive in chaos, so this is my favorite event. It's fun to see everyone having fun, playing games, and laughing. It’s a great way for clubs to fundraise – they create their own games and get 100% of the profit.”

Next came the basketball games. The girls team played at 5:30, and the boys at 7:00. There were rollicking cheerleaders, with the orchestra playing the National Anthem, and the “Junior Joy Givers” band (a product of a Genius Project) and the Sage Creek Dance Company wowing the crowd. At halftime, the Hoopcoming celebration continued as senior royalty, accompanied by their parents, were introduced with great fanfare. Cheers and confetti filled the air when the Boys Basketball team won their game 73-33.

Katharine Emmons, Student Section President (the Bob Squad), worked with the Athletic Director to oversee the sporting events. “The gym looked awesome. It’s about community building. The whole student body came to the games. I love to see the looks on the students’ faces — we are all happy to be here!”

On Saturday night 620 students attended the Hoopcoming Dance. The theme was Down in the Bayou, and the gym was transformed into a whimsical “Princess and the Frog” fairyland, with lily pads, fireflies, flowers, vines, and candles. Students danced to the DJ’s tunes, enjoyed delicious food and mocktails, played games, and visited the Photo Booth.

“We wanted everyone to feel invited and involved,” said Joselyn Virgen, ASB secretary and Hoopcoming dance planner. “ASB has been my family for these four years. I wanted to end my senior year at SCHS off right, with a fun and successful dance.”

“I love Hoopcoming,” said Mrs. Tapia. “The carnival was fantastic –with more than 30

clubs at the school participating, having fun, and raising funds for their activities. Every group was there, working as one. It’s great to see our Bobcat community come together.”