Javelina Homecoming comes to an end
The crowd yelling “Defense! Defense! Defense!” was all you could hear from the sidelines of the Javelina Stadium at the Oct. 16 Homecoming game, at which the Javelina Football Team faced (and beat) the University of Texas – Permian Basin Falcons.
“[I came to the game] because it’s Homecoming and thought the atmosphere would be really good today,” freshman and computer science major Matthew Valdez said. “The team is doing so-so, but it’s just a great feeling all-around of everyone cheering and just having a good time.”
Although the Javelinas were down four points come halftime, the spirit from students, faculty and the Kingsville community was lively as could be during the Javelina Marching Band’s show, Rock Redemption. The crowd went wild in cheers and applause as they began their performance with Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap by AC/DC. Following this rock classic was The Pretender by Foo Fighters and the band finished their halftime show with Thnks fr th Mmrs by Fall Out Boy.
After the band’s show came the moment everyone was waiting for: the announcement of Texas A&M University – Kingsville’s 2022 Homecoming King and Queen. The top five candidates Janet Flores and Jose Ramirez, Salika Tejani and Antonio Rosenbaum, Eva Morgan and Daniel Cavazos, Ilianna Tijerina and Evan Jewett, and Adrienne Vanbrunt and David Beltran gathered on the football field, decked in sparkly blue dresses and various button-ups and blazers.
Second runners-up Vanbrunt and Rosenbaum were announced, followed by first runners-up Tejani and Cavazos. The band gave a drumroll during the anxiety-filled moment, while the crowd waited for this year’s King and Queen to be announced.
People in the bleachers roared with excitement as it was announced Jose “Whapö” Ramirez and Ilianna Tijerina were the 2022 Homecoming King and Queen.
“I love this school and I love this community,” Ramirez said. “Just being part [of the court] was amazing. All the people on the court were great people; we all showed love to each other.”
Ramirez was sponsored by Delta Chi, where his role is risk management. His overall goal from this experience is to expand communication, if students ever need or want to talk to Ramirez or just to simply make more friends, they should feel comfortable reaching out.
“I feel very blessed [about winning],” Tijerina said. “I have a lot of support from the students and my family and without them, it wouldn’t have been possible.”
Tijerina was sponsored by Women In Mathematics Engineering and Science, where she is a general member. Her goal as queen is to spread positivity around the university and to be a friendly face to students. Tijerina is also part of the Student Government Association on campus.
As the game came to an end, so did homecoming for this year. Although some might be disappointed the festivities are over, the university’s students, staff and faculty can celebrate the fact our Javelina football team is now 7-0 this season.