The Cordova High School rally took nearly a month to plan and included performances from band, color guard, cheer and dance, class skits, games and a rose exchange between football players and cheerleaders. Photo courtesy of Gabriel Castillo, shotsbygub

Editor’s note: This is the second installment of “Leading the Charge: Lancer Stories,” a monthly Grapevine Independent series following the students, staff, programs and traditions of Cordova High School throughout the 2026-27 school year.

RANCHO CORDOVA, CA (MPG) - By Friday afternoon, Cordova High School’s homecoming week had become more than a schedule of dress-up days, rallies and football.

Students packed the rally in their class colors, cheered through performances and competitions, and later gathered to put the finishing touches on floats that had consumed hours of work throughout the week, culminating in the long-awaited homecoming game.

For senior and rally emcee August McCants, that energy is what makes homecoming different from the rest of the school year.

“I feel like our campus culture is probably the best during homecoming week because everyone’s just so excited for the football game, for the dance,” McCants said. “Everyone’s participating.”

This years’ time-travel theme sent each class to a different era, freshmen to the year 3000, sophomores to ancient Egypt, juniors to the Aztec civilization and seniors to ancient Rome.

“School spirit is kind of like students joining together and working on something that’s really important to all of us,” Freshman Emma Podwalny said.

For junior Briana Ramirez, even the stressful parts have become memories. After three years of float building, she has watched her class learn from past mistakes and become better at building, decorating and working together.

This years’ time-travel theme sent each class to a different era, freshmen to the year 3000, sophomores to ancient Egypt, juniors to the Aztec civilization and seniors to ancient Rome. The senior class took the win! Photo by Rick Sloan

The rally itself took nearly a month to plan and included performances from band, color guard, cheer and dance, class skits, games and a rose exchange between football players and cheerleaders.

Homecoming week also brought back familiar traditions, including Lancer Olympics and Toga versus Yoga, alongside newer Spirit Week themes.

Senior rally emcee Launa Powell said the competition between classes is part of the fun, but the week ultimately brings students together.

“At the end of the day, we all acknowledge that we can work together,” Powell said. “If one team needs help, we will step in because we’re Cordova, and we’re supposed to help each other.”

That sense of tradition stretches beyond current students.

Chemistry teacher Megan Hamm, now in her 24th year at Cordova High, has watched those traditions evolve. Floats have become more elaborate, spirit activities have expanded and rally skits have grown into larger productions.

“It brings them together as a community,” Hamm said. “It allows them to build relationships and have fun, just do something fun and different at school.”

Cordova High School introduced its homecoming royalty during the 2026 homecoming game as part of the evening’s festivities. From left are freshman Sophia Garcia, sophomore Oscar Aguilar, junior Willie Barocio Arellano, senior Misael Ceja Rosas and senior Emily Espinoza. Photo by Rick Sloan

Principal Amy Strawn said homecoming creates a different atmosphere across campus, with students and staff participating together.

“The campus just buzzes and comes alive in a different way,” Strawn said.

For Strawn, preserving traditions also reminds current students that their connection to Cordova extends beyond their four years of high school.

“I hope the students see that they’re a part of something bigger than just their spot here at Cordova High at this moment,” Strawn said. “People came before them, people will come after them, and they are part of that Lancer community.”

The week culminated under the Friday night lights, where students were joined by families and generations of former Lancers.

Varsity football player Terryn “TK” King said playing before a larger crowd and returning alumni makes homecoming feel different.

“It’s a really great feeling, knowing that people care and that people support us,” King said.