This year’s Homecoming game was a memorable one for senior Ximena Bengochea, who was crowned the 2025 Homecoming Queen at halftime. For her, the announcement came as a surprise.

“I felt very excited, but I didn’t really expect it,” Ximena said.

This was actually her second time winning the title, which made the experience even more meaningful. “It was like a mix of feelings. I felt really happy and overjoyed, but I couldn’t really express it in the moment, in shock,” she explained.

After the crowning, Ximena celebrated with her colorguard teammates. “They all huddled around me and we celebrated—but I got trampled over,” she said, laughing.

The lead-up to the announcement was a little hectic for Ximena. “Well, I was feeling anxious because I ran off the field right after my color guard performance to get in the golf cart, and I rolled my ankle. Then it was just a matter of waiting nervously,” she said.

Now that the excitement has settled, Ximena has found a special place to keep her crown and sash. “I actually put it in my senior box that I decorated. I want to keep all of my senior memories in there.”

Her senior box holds more than just the crown—it’s filled with mementos from throughout her high school experience. “My sash, my crown, a keychain that some of my friends gave me, pictures that we took from colorguard that I got printed out, a picture of my family, a picture of my friends and me, and a picture of my grandma,” she listed. 

With her second crown safely tucked in her senior box, Ximena can look back on this moment while carrying the memories forward.