From the decorated hallways on the Escalon High School campus to the many members of the Class of ’85 that served as Grand Marshals for the downtown parade, there was plenty to enjoy during Homecoming Week in Escalon.
Capping it off was the naming of Jaqueline Aguayo as Homecoming Queen, receiving her crown, sash and signed football presented by the team captains during festivities at halftime of the varsity football game on Friday, Oct. 3.
“We got to dress up for all the Homecoming days and it was a very fun moment for all our friends and our school to come together and share that,” said the newly crowned Aguayo, after posing for photos with her fellow Queen candidates and then all their family members who served as escorts. “I’m so honored to be Homecoming Queen.”
The daughter of Juan and Leticia Aguayo, the senior was all smiles and also said she enjoyed the week’s activities with the rest of the Homecoming Court: Chloe Green, Rylee Peavy, Skylar Anderson and Ruth Jones.
Earlier, the royals were announced for the lower class levels, with Maci Woodruff chosen as the freshman Lady in Waiting; sophomore Lori Brown named as the Duchess; and junior Mia Caton selected as the Princess.
The “Soaring Around The World” theme for Homecoming Week 2025 was featured in some of the parade entries as well, with the roughly half hour long parade on Friday afternoon offering up plenty of floats, school groups, musicians and more.
Winners in the various categories in the parade included: FFA, Club Winner; Van Allen, Elementary School Winner; Youth Cougars Varsity, Youth Sports Winner; Cheerleaders, High School Sports Winner; and Sophomores, Class Float Winner.
Musical groups including both the Escalon High School and El Portal Middle School bands performed along the route, a number of sports teams rode on floats, Miss Escalon and her court were represented, Little Miss and Little Mr. Escalon stayed busy tossing candy to the crowd, the Escalon City Council had a float entered, and the outgoing Homecoming Queen Lisa Murga enjoyed a final ride as royalty along Main Street.
The parade also featured the Escalon American Legion colorguard leading the way, and a decorated school bus declaring the Class of 85 was “rad” followed the float that included several members of that class, which celebrated its 40th reunion in conjunction with the Homecoming festivities. They gathered downstairs at the Grange Hall on Main Street for reminiscing, took a tour of the campus and also rode around town in the school bus in addition to being recognized at the Friday night game.
The class floats saw the freshmen representing Australia; the sophomores took on Asia; juniors, South America; and seniors, America.
Helping coordinate the parade were Escalon High School ASB officers, seniors Ariella Partida and Brianne Coelho.
“We would like to thank everybody for coming out to our Homecoming parade,” Coelho said as parade emcee Robert Swift offered her the microphone.
“And we can’t wait to see you all at the football game when we announce the Homecoming Queen,” Partida added.
The crowning at halftime was a highlight, as the varsity football team took a loss to Hughson in the football game, but the student section and the fans that turned out still enjoyed the pageantry of the evening.
