Homecoming 2024 was groovy, baby!
Artesia Public Schools students and faculty took the Artesia High School Student Council's theme -- Groovin' into HoCo -- and ran with it last week. Decade-dedicated dress-up days, decorating parties, assemblies and enchilada suppers all led up to the most happening Homecoming parade ever... and, of course, a Bulldog victory!
Here were a few of the highlights!
PARADE
This year's parade was likely particularly nostalgic for alumni from the '60s and '70s. Flower children, peace signs, tie-dye and Volkswagen buses abounded along Main Street Friday afternoon.
Take a trip down the route with our Homecoming Highlight Reel!
Float winners included:
AHS Classes:
• 1st Place: Juniors
• 2nd Place: Seniors
• 3rd Place: Sophomores
AHS Clubs:
• 1st Place: FFA
• 2nd Place: DECA
Artesia Public Schools:
• 1st Place: Hermosa Elementary
• 2nd Place: Central Elementary
• 3rd Place: Roselawn Elementary
Community:
• 1st Place: Triple R Services
• 2nd Place: Western Bank
• 3rd Place: Artesia 4-H
Alumni:
• 1st Place: Class of 1964
BONFIRE AND DRESS-UP DAYS
There isn't a dull day during AHS Homecoming Week! The kindergarten and elementary schools, intermediate school, junior high and high school all had their own themed dress-up days, ranging from "Sock It to the Panthers" Crazy Sock Day to MTV Day, Iconic Duo Day to Throwback Thursday. In addition, AHS students gathered in the lot just east of the Administration Building Monday for the annual bonfire event, enjoying cornhole, tunes from the Pride of the Pecos Valley, and marshmallow roasting.
Click here to check out pics from all of the above!
HOMECOMING ROYALTY
Photo Courtesy Artesia Bulldog Paw Prints
The 2024 Homecoming Court was crowned during a special assembly Friday afternoon at the AHS old boys' gym. Pictured from left are: Sophomore Attendant Bailey Trujillo, escorted by Jace Deans; Senior Princess Arianna Montoya, escorted by Jayden Padilla; Maid of Honor Hattie Harrison, escorted by Chance Boans; crown bearer Ashton Conn and flower girl Kritley Wachter; Homecoming Queen Carmen Harvey, escorted by Jackson Parker; Senior Princess Makaylee Morillon, escorted by Parker Jarratt; and Junior Attendant Brooklynne Ivans, escorted by Brant Usherwood.
BACK IN BLACK: 50 YEARS LATER
Photo Courtesy Artesia Bulldog Paw Prints
During halftime of Friday's Homecoming Game, the football program honored the 1974 Bulldogs. The squad went undefeated (13-0) en route to the program's seventh state championship, defeating Deming in the title game, 23-0, in Mike Phipps' first season as head coach. The team was also the first in Artesia to wear black jerseys; in this 50th anniversary season, the 2024 'Dogs are paying tribute by sporting black home jerseys. Pictured are, from left, team members Martin Green, Jackie Clifton, Jeff Davis, Tommy Austin, Randy Letcher, Elton Menefee, Richie Crockett, Curtis Tolle, Billy Riley, Lonnie Ruiz, Royce Pearson, Frankie Barrera, Mark Simons, Roy Lawson and Coach Vernon Asbill, along with cheerleaders Debbie Loyd Tolle and Ginger Edgmon Creighton.
HALF-CENTURY HOMECOMING
The AHS Class of 1974 was in town for its 50th reunion and was able to take a tour of the high school Saturday. See more pictures from their visit here.
ENCHILADA SUPPER A SUCCESS
Yeso Elementary's 53rd Annual Enchilada Supper was a big success once again! The Thunderbird PTO and APS cafeteria workers served up pre-game meals for thousands of Artesians in the Park Junior High School cafeteria, and Yeso students worked hard to get all those tickets sold. "Our enchilada supper fundraiser was a huge success," said Yeso Principal Lynn Worley. "A big thank-you goes out to Aaron Caldera, his staff and our families for their hard work and dedication to our fundraiser."
Pictured above are this year's top ticket sellers, who sold a combined 2,650 tickets: standing from left, Cason Frederick, Mila DeHoyos, Renezmaye Spier, Lukas Herrera Simer, Julianne Baca, Sebastian Garcia, Triston Caffall, seated from left, Brynlee Carter, Grant Baldwin and Zahriah Davis. They each received a $50 swimming pass for the Artesia Aquatic Center (AAC), donated by the AAC Foundation; a signed football; and a Bulldog t-shirt, donated by Bulldog Pride. Caffall was the overall top ticket seller with 162 tickets sold. Pictured below are PTO members and cafeteria workers preparing to serve.
