Tag: hares and heiresses
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Jackrabbit Pageant Preview
Jackrabbit Pageant contestants at the Greystone Manor. 
The eight women competing for the title of Ms. Jackrabbit. 
The eight men competing for the title of Mr. Jackrabbit. 
CASSANDRA BAUTISTA: For Cassandra Bautista, life is good when she is watching Benedict Cumberbatch play Sherlock. On top of her involvement in the choral and Biomedical programs, she is a part of MESA and Dreamer and Doers, and her proudest accomplishment is getting into a prestigious research program at UCLA this past summer. Aside from her love of science and dreams of becoming a biomedical engineer, Bautista also loves strawberries and boba. She hopes to display her vocal prowess this Friday. “I thought it would be a fun experience, and it’s not something you get to do everyday,” said Bautista. 
LAURA HOLLEY: Laura Holley enjoys many activities, the likes of which include hiking, reading and swimming. She is currently a member of the Chemistry and Aviation clubs. She aspires to become a professional pilot and work for a large space company such as SpaceX or NASA, doing chemical work or piloting spacecraft. “I feel excited for the talent show portion because I am able to take part in the amazing group of students we have performing this year. I am singing and rapping for my talent, and I rarely have the chance to showcase the music I write so I am looking forward to the response,” said Holley. Look forward to seeing her this Friday at the Jackrabbit Pageant! 
JESSE YUTH: Jesse Yuth simply cannot wait for his time on the stage, as he claims this is his big chance to make the most of his senior year. Yuth hopes his experience will provide him with an opportunity to get rid of his stage fright and flaunt his talents in front of a crowd. As a dedicated member of JROTC, it is no surprise that he has chosen calisthenic pull-up bar movements as his talent, a talent that will showcase his discipline and strength. Through the pageant, Yuth has gotten a chance to become closer with his fellow contestants. 
HENRY ROS: Henry Ros is participating in Jackrabbit Pageant to be involved in as many high school experiences before moving on to college. With over six years of drumming experience, he hopes to showcase his skills onstage. “I want to be really fun and give the crowd a good show,” said Ros. He is involved with the Nothing But Nets club and the Black Student Union on top of playing volleyball. He hopes to pursue a career in medicine, eventually becoming a doctor in the future. His interests include Tupac, biology, and cookies & creme ice cream. Hear him play the drums this Friday at the pageant! 
KOBE MILES: Kobe Miles is ready to showcase his exciting and unique talent of Sivaafifi, a traditional Samoan fififire knife dance, for the pageant this Friday. He hopes to major in Business at California State University, Long Beach, and he also enjoys playing the ukulele. Supported by the Ball For Life club, Miles credits his inspiration to all of his supporters. “I want to show my parents that practice makes perfect. What I’m doing is dangerous. You can cut and burn yourself. But as each day goes by, I’m getting more and more excited,” said Miles. See him perform a traditional Samoan fire dance this Friday! 
MATT OCA: Often called a ball of positive energy, Matt Oca is ready to display his skills in this year’s Jackrabbit Pageant. With his proudest accomplishment being a member of the first varsity cross-country team to make it to State, Oca is someone who pursues his passions, which include running, piano, and singing. He is currently involved with the cross-country and choral programs at Poly. In the future, he hopes to become a dietitian or nutritionist. He is also fond of Tina Belcher from Bob’s Burgers, chocolate, and peach green tea. He signed up for the pageant to display the skills he has accrued over the past four years. “I thought it’d be a great way to publicize my dying club [Dead Poets’ Society] and to showcase my talents that I’ve developed at Poly,” said Oca. 
PARIS WRIGHT: Sponsored by the MESA club, Paris Wright is performing a combination of different contemporary pieces with her partner Veasna Khan. “Slow dances have always inspired me. I think dance really speaks to a lot of people,” said Wright. She is involved with MESA and works in the school cafeteria. Wright plans on having a career in design and merchandising. Her hobbies include bike rides, sewing, and photography. She is looking forward to present her dance skills to the Poly community. “When I dance, I give my all and my heart. I am really excited, but in the back of my mind, I am also nervous,” said Wright. Watch her showcase her dance skills at the Jackrabbit Pageant this Friday! 
GABRIELA RUBALCAVA: Gaby Rubalcava has been looking forward to participating in the Jackrabbit Pageant since freshman year. Ever since she saw the pageant years ago, she knew she wanted to be a part of it. Rubalcava has decided to perform a monologue from the Broadway musical “A Chorus Line,” a fresh new take on a pageant talent. Rubalcava has cherished the time she has had with her fellow contestants and says she has made some close friendships during rehearsals. In her free time, she is an AYSO soccer coach and referee. She is looking forward most to the beachwear portion because she believes it gives the audience crucial insight into all the contestant’s personality through their music and clothing choice. Be sure to find Gabriela Rubalcava on the Jackrabbit Pageant stage this Friday! 
MATT MELENDEZ: Though known for his break-dancing skills, Matthew Melendez is also a member of the Math Team, Senior Senate, and Varsity Track. He also serves as the treasurer for Club Vogue. In the future, he hopes to attend University of California, Berkeley or University of Pennsylvania to become an anesthesiologist, establishing his residency in the San Francisco area. Melendez was inspired to take part in the Jackrabbit Pageant after seeing his fellow classmates participate in 2013. “Ever since I watched the pageant in my sophomore year, I knew I wanted to try it out. I aided Adric Tang, Mr. Jackrabbit 2014, in his performance and I was motivated to showcase my dancing and tricking skills to my peers and family,” said Melendez. 
BRIAN PHAM: Brian Pham is excited to be a part of the Jackrabbit Pageant. He is actively involved with JROTC, holding positions in the Color Guard, Raider and Spartan training teams. Pham aspires to become a physical therapist, finding new methods for rehabilitation. He is very active, for his favorite activities include break dancing, biking, and working out. His performance, which involves break dancing and tricking, is something he is excited to present to an audience. “During the rehearsal, I felt pretty confident and everyone seems to enjoy my routine, so I feel like the crowd will enjoy it as well,” said Pham. His performance should be another that will wow the crowd this Friday. 
MARIA PALAROAN: Described as an outgoing person with a love for music, Maria Palaroan is involved with the Chamber and Jazz One vocal ensembles at Poly. She is also the club president of Muffin Tops and Dead Poets Society. She plans on going to a private liberal arts college in the future. Palaroan believes that the Jackrabbit Pageant is an opportunity for her to give back to the school. “When I first started out at Poly, I was a pretty shy person who kept to herself. But as each year passed, I grew to love myself more as well as Poly. I thought that I would be honored to represent Poly through the pageant,” said Palaroan. The pageant was also a chance for her to make new friends. “I got to meet some of the most talented people, and I’m really happy about how close we’ve all gotten as friends. It’s all so exciting,” said Palaroan. 
TANYA NGUYEN: Tanya Nguyen is one of the contestants competing for the Miss Jackrabbit Pageant title. She is involved with Seoul of Kpop, ASB, and Senior Senate. In the future, she plans on studying abroad and having a career that involves saving the environment. Her hobbies include drawing, dancing, hanging out with her friends, and playing the popular game Tsum Tsum. Nguyen is participating in the pageant because she wants to show how Poly has molded her into a more outgoing person. In her eyes, Miss Jackrabbit is someone who represents Poly and shows what it has to offer. “I came in as a shy freshman, and I tried to change that through these four years. I feel like being in front of a crowd will show how far I’ve come,” said Nguyen. 
NICK ELLIOTT: Nick Elliott is one of the contestants gunning for the Mr. Jackrabbit title this coming Friday. Elliott is actively involved in the music program, playing an instrument for the jazz and marching bands. In addition, he is also the vice president of Model United Nations and a member of Ronald McDonald House. His hobbies include listening to different types of music, keeping up with current events, and trying new activities with his friends. In the future, Elliott plans to study political science and foreign affairs and pursue a career in international diplomacy or law. He signed up for the pageant because he wanted to make great memories of his last year at Poly. “I saw the event as an opportunity to make new friends and to make my senior year a memorable one,” said Elliott. 
VEASNA KHAN: Veasna Khan is one of many student-athletes at Poly, having participated in the football and dance programs for years. He enjoys going to the gym, reading, and yoga. He plans on becoming a physical therapist and one day opening his own fitness gym. For the pageant, Khan will be dancing to “Am I Wrong” by Nico Vinz. “I want to be in the pageant because I love to perform. I played football and am currently boxing because I love the spotlight. It wasn’t until junior year that I realized that dancing is something I’m passionate about. Even though I am not as good as I want to be, now I can express myself without beating people up. I want to be in the pageant because I want to do something that I enjoy and find an outlet for in my creativity,” said Khan. 
JAIME MONACO: Jaime Monaco is currently a member of the track and instrumental programs, running various events and playing the trombone, respectively. Monaco hopes to prepare for medical school by becoming a premed or biology major. Her interests include singing, jazz, writing, and hanging out with her friends. For the pageant, she will be singing “Sweet Georgia Brown” and playing a solo on the trombone. “I’m looking most forward to my talent. I love being on stage,” said Monaco. Look forward to hearing her belt out a tune this Friday! 
MERIELLE GONZAGA: Merielle Gonzaga is participating in the Jackrabbit Pageant to prove that she is not just a shy girl. “I decided to enter because I felt it would give me a legacy at this school and help boost my confidence and [prove that�� I’m not just another girl at Poly,” said Gonzaga. At Poly, she volunteers with the theater department and Operation Teddy Bear; outside of class, she takes pride in being part of the elite dance team Nonosina. Gonzaga hopes to become a special therapist or special education teacher in the future. Some of the things she loves are chai tea lattes, dogs, and anything Bruno Mars-related. She is willing to step out of her comfort zone just to make anyone laugh, so come to the Pageant to see her in action!
