On Thursday, Greeley West High School had its last home football game against Monarch High School, where various teams also celebrated Senior Night for football, cheer, poms, and marching band seniors. This is an emotional night for all of the seniors being recognized.
Isiah Montoya, who has played football his whole life and has been a part of the varsity team since his sophomore year, doesn’t know how to react to the end of his high school career. Knowing this was his last home game he was going to be playing for West, he was filled with different emotions.
During his last year, he and his team made the most unforgettable memories. Having the best student section in Greeley cheering him and his team on every game, and their well-deserved win against Northridge for the first time in over 10 years. They got to take Greeley back, setting the stage for their younger teammates.
He stated, “This is my last time ever suiting up in my blue jersey, playing at D6 under the lights in front of Greeley, it’s just sad after being a part of this community for 4 years. It’s going to be a lot to take in, especially in the 4th quarter,” Montoya said.
During halftime, the marching band performed like they always have. This time was different for the senior members; it was their last time on the D6 field performing for West.
Ileene Garcilazo has put a lot of time and effort into marching band. She started in regular band and then moved up to marching band, which is a completely different pace. It is much more time consuming, but fortunately Garcilazo enjoys it.
Her biggest year of progression was during her sophomore year. It consisted of one of the most memorable performances that she did, “Angels vs. Demons.” This was performed during halftime as well as at two different competitions. Not only was that one of the coolest things that she could have done, but it was also the year that she really learned what marching band was about and what it could do for her life. She grew to love the people she was around and how music actually works.
After spending so much time playing music seriously, she is super confident in herself and her abilities. If she hadn’t of switched to marching band, she would not be who she is today.
“It just feels like a community, a little club that you can always go to,” Garcilazo stated.
Camden Cooney chose to be a part of Poms for all four years of high school. Senior night is especially emotional for her since dance plays a big role in her everyday life, doing it for 14 years. She allowed herself to celebrate all of the hard work that she’s done, and be proud of what her and her team have accomplished and to get emotional about the fact that it’s the last time she’ll be on the field.
During her junior year, the Poms team went to state and got fifth overall. Even though they didn’t win, just being there and performing well was more than enough.
Cooney stated, “Spending time with the team, we practice with each other more than five days a week. We spend like our entire lives together basically, they’re like my family.”
Underclassmen cheerleaders made gift baskets for the seniors on their team. Sophomore Maritza Torres made a basket for senior Joanna Galindo. Torres picked her to make a basket for because of how good of a captain that she has been. Filling the basket with a blanket, gift card, a candle, and more.
“She pushed me to be better, and I’m sad that the seniors are leaving because they taught us everything,” Torres said.
