Noli Indian School’s homecoming was about more than football as the community joined in the festivities held before the game’s kickoff at 6:30 p.m., Sept. 12. An annual parade of the Homecoming Court was staged at the school before the decorated vehicles made their way to The Oaks.
Led by Grand Marshal Sandy Boniface’s vehicle, the caravan included Freshman Sweethearts Harlow Ortiz (Los Coyotes Band of Cahuilla Indians) and Samantha Gladin (Oglala Sioux), Sophomore Duke Jonathan Gladin (Oglala Sioux) and Duchess Phyllis Morillo (Soboba Band of Luiseño Indians), Junior Prince Jeffrey Arres (Soboba Band of Luiseño Indians) and Princess Nevaeh Ochoa (Soboba Band of Luiseño Indians), and Senior King nominees Ronald Morillo (Soboba Band of Luiseño Indians), Leland Razon (Soboba Band of Luiseño Indians) and Edgar Gladin (Oglala Sioux), and Homecoming Queen nominees Sophia Resvaloso (Soboba Band of Luiseño Indians), Sadie Pimental (Soboba Band of Luiseño Indians) and Audryna Lopez (Cahuilla Band of Indians).
Boniface has served on the Noli School Board for more than 10 years. She worked at Noli for many years assisting with attendance, enrollment and as secretary at the front office until 2008. Two of her sons graduated from the school, and her grandson Jeffrey Arres is currently attending. He was named Junior Prince and wore jersey No. 4 on the field as a member of the Noli Braves football team.
“I enjoy working for the students and seeing former students with their kids attending now who remember me,” Boniface said.
Dozens of families lined the parade route, eager to collect candy and other goodies that were tossed from the vehicles as they slowly made their way along the two-and-a-half mile stretch of road to the football stadium. Led by Department of Public Safety vehicles and a Soboba fire engine with sirens blaring and lights flashing, members of the homecoming court were applauded and cheered as they drove by.
All guests were greeted at The Oaks with a carnival atmosphere and upbeat music on the loudspeakers as various clubs and groups operated game booths. Soboba Tribal Preschool’s Maria Hernandez and Ana Garcia offered kid-sized cornhole with a full-size game hosted by Noli AVID students. The senior class and several teachers, including English teacher Summer Herrera, were inviting everyone to join in the fun.
The Noli Braves Booster Club hosted a cake walk in front of tables filled with all types of sweets. Some were donated by parents and others by community businesses Frybread Kitchen and 1918 Sweet Cravings. Club members Camille Diaz, Amelia Arres and Treasurer Tanya Briones-Rivera work at the school and were joined by parent volunteers Secretary Eustacia Maciel, Lorena Moreno, Autumn Olvera, President Jillian Miranda, Member-at-large Diana Brittian and Vice President Johnna Valdez.
The club works year-round to help the students and the school. Briones-Rivera said the group recently raised $2,000 they donated to the football team. They also host fundraisers to help defray the cost of field trips taken by students in the AVID program.
“Every club at the school submits a letter to us explaining how we can help their club with donations,” Briones-Rivera said. All submissions are reviewed and approved during the club’s twice monthly meetings.
Halftime festivities included the introduction of the Homecoming Court at centerfield. The highly anticipated crowning of king and queen was prefaced with an introduction of all the nominees. The top vote getters were Edgar Gladin and Audryna Lopez.
Noli’s new history teacher Justin Thillens took on play-by-play announcing duties with the help of scorekeeper Matt Basquez.
Despite a dramatic touchdown by Jonathan Resvaloso (No. 98), the Braves fell to the West Shores Wildcats from Salton City. The team has several more games left in the season, with a few more home games at The Oaks.
For more information, https://noliindianschool.net/football-schedule.
