Community Night was held at Aliso Niguel High School at 6 p.m. prior to the football game on Oct. 27 in the blacktop area near the basketball courts. Feeder schools attending the event included Marian Bergeson Elementary, Canyon Vista Elementary, Don Juan Avila Elementary, Laguna Niguel Elementary, Moulton Elementary, Oak Grove Elementary and Wood Canyon Elementary.
Aliso Niguel High School is an open-enrollment school, meaning anyone in the Capistrano Unified School District can apply to attend ANHS. The goal of the community night event is to show elementary schoolers from feeder schools the future, and potential attendees of Aliso Niguel High School why they should choose to attend and be a part of ANHS.
ASB’s Commissioner of Public Relations, Caleb Ulrich (12), says, “The drumline is going to lead the kids through the stadium and park behind the inflatable. The announcer will introduce each school as the kids run through the inflatable Aliso Niguel logo and through the stadium, and then they will take a photo holding a sign with their school’s name on it.”
The event is mainly led by high school students in order for the younger kids to preview the high school experience.
Mrs. Sepe says, “The whole point of the event is to get kids really excited about our community and that they will eventually become a wolverine and be a part of the Aliso Niguel. We truly bleed teal and are a teal town. That way, it will be a full circle and truly a homecoming when we host the homecoming events.”
Whichever school has the most attendees at the event will be designated “Teal Town School.” The event also brings the elementary school principals, assistant principals, and lots of students together as a community, as well as a way for parents to get involved in school life.
Dr. Robles, the principal of Oak Grove Elementary School, says, “As an elementary school principal, I am glad my students get to attend this event and feel what it is like to be in high school. They will be able to come here and experience what their future is going to be like. It is actually a great opportunity for the kids to build that sense of community and also to support their learning and be a part of the Aliso Niguel family. I think they’ll be excited to see the big kids and know that someday they will be those big kids. They will be able to see themselves in the future, and that is important for them – that they have a future.”
Chris Dembiec, the principal of Wood Canyon Elementary School, says, “I think it is a great thing to show them how high school is and the different events they have to offer at high school. It is something for them to look forward to. I hope they will leave this event excited to attend Aliso Niguel High School in the future.”
Regi Vettraino, the principal of Canyon Vista Elementary School, says, “This event brings the community together, and we are happy to be here. It is important to build a community and get people together outside of school.”
The check-in started around 5:30 p.m., but the event officially started at 6 p.m. Kids, along with their parents, went to their designated school table and received wristbands. Parents chatted with other parents, and kids got to socialize with one another as well as have a chance to take photos with the wolverine mascot before running through the giant Aliso Niguel inflatable.
