UHS Announces Fall Homecoming Candidates

Homecoming will take place this Friday, September 30th in Ulysses. The day’s activities include a parade past all the schools, the crowning of the king and queen and the football game between Ulysses and Hays. The Ulysses News will publish a special homecoming insert in our October 6th issue with all the results and pictures. The king and queen candidates were asked to fill out a questionnaire and here are their answers.

Valeria Delgado is the daughter of Jessica Escajeda. She has one brother, Jose Salinas, who is 11 years old. Valeria is involved in SADD, Interact, SAFE, HALO and Pep Club. She enjoys traveling, soccer, painting, knitting, cooking and spending time with her family and friends. Valeria admires her mom because “she is the strongest, most hardworking woman I’ve ever met. She is not afraid to fail and she is willing to learn, grow and move forward.”

Valeria’s favorite high school memory was a trip to GCCC for HALO where they learned about different cultures and backgrounds and met new people. The superpower that she would like to have would be to have healing powers. The best advice she received was to always be grateful, respectful and open-minded.

When asked what her favorite thing about Ulysses High School is, Valeria responded, “UHS tries to implement a different approach to impose studies on students. They inspire you to become the best version of yourself, keep moving forward and don’t give up.” Her favorite subject is Anatomy and Physiology, because she loves learning about the internal and external structures and functions of the body. Valeria plans to pursue a career as a pediatric oncology nurse.

Gustavo Camacho is the son of Ignacio and Ofelia Tarango. He has one sister, Aileen, who is 10 years old and two brothers, Jose is 16 and Jonathan is 12 years old. Gustavo likes to go to the weight room in his spare time and watch movies. He enjoys attending mass on Sunday morning. When asked who he admires the most, Gustavo says, “I don’t look up to anyone. If life has taught me anything, it is not to live by anyone’s standards and live by your own.”

Gustavo is a member of the Tiger football and wrestling teams and swims for the Sharks. He also does the Mata chimes for his church. He said he has so many memories from his high school experience and there isn’t one he enjoyed the most. Gustavo’s favorite thing about high school is, “every memory I’ve made with my friends and teachers.”

Spanish with Senora Wilson is his favorite subject because, “she is the best teacher. Her class was fun!” Gustavo would like to attend barber school and open his own barber shop some day.

The superpower he would like to have is to be able to turn into any animal he’d choose. The best advice Gustavo received was to never give up on a dream you know you can accomplish, even if you are the only one who believes you can.

Jennifer Lopez is the daughter of Rigo and Angelica Lopez and Ana Marta. She has two siblings -- her brother Jose is 26 and sister Tanya is 25. Jennifer admires her dad the most because, “he has always taught me to work hard for what I want and to always give thanks to God.”

Her hobbies include lifting and going out with friends. At Ulysses High School, Jennifer is involved in cheer, powerlifting, National Honor Society, S.A.F.E., SADD and HALO. Her favorite memory of UHS is, “my conversational Spanish class making me a quincenera in class my freshman year.” She says her favorite thing about high school is how supportive everyone is. Spanish is her favorite subject because Mrs. Wilson always pushes her students to do their best and get out of their comfort zone.

The superpower Jennifer would like is to be able to heal others. When asked what the best advice she received was, she answered, “Focus on the good, and good things will come.” Her future plans are to attend Colby Community College and study dental hygiene.

Oscar Evan Cortez is the son of Elpidio and Claudia Cortez. He has three brothers, Elpidio Jr, 27; Anthony, 26; Edward, 21; and one sister, Cindy, who is 16. Evan participates in football, powerlifting and track. He is also involved in FCA, refereeing for pee wee games, and his church, Templa Emanuel. Evan plays the guitar and likes shoes.

When asked who he admires the most, Evan said, “my brother, Elpidio Jr. He was the first to graduate college and he’s a great role model and great big brother. He really helps me with what I’m doing with the rest of my life. Maybe he’ll let me move in with him in San Diego!”

Evan’s favorite memory at Ulysses High School is, “scoring my first varsity touchdown freshman year. It was a feeling like no other - the crowd roaring and the band playing. Thank you, Rick Cue, for having faith in me.” Evan says his favorite things about UHS are having fun with his friends and not having to worry about paying bills.

If he could have a superpower, Evan would want super speed so he could get places fast and no one could catch him on the football field. His favorite subject is science. He thinks that biology and anatomy are interesting subjects. Evan’s future plans include attending Fort Hays to earn his bachelor degree of business administration in accounting.

The best advice that Evan received was, “God loves me and no matter what happens he’ll always be by my side.” That advice came from his mom.

Mika Schultz is the daughter of Paige and Jamie Kratzer and Marion and Cynthia Schultz. She has six siblings: Shelby, 20; Piper, 13; Chloe, 12; Bella, 11; and Deacon and Dannon who are 6 years old. Mika enjoys spending time with her friends, talking, eating sushi, spending time with family and shopping.

While at Ulysses High School, Mika has been involved in volleyball, basketball, track, StuCo, SADD, Interact, FCA, Resist and replace, Uncommon Leadership, NHS, FFA, band and pep club. She also is a member of FUMC youth group and 4-H. Mica’s favorite thing about Ulysses High School is getting to see Mr. Bixler everyday. She says, “he acts like we’re a burden but we all know he loves our class the most!” Spanish is her favorite subject because Senora Wilson is always so fun and full of energy! (Even at 8:00 a.m.) Mika’s favorite high school memory is looking up from the volleyball court at the student section. They are so full of support.

When asked who she admires the most, Mika answered, “my older sister, Shelby. She has always been there for me and has always felt like a safe space. I have no idea where I would be in life if I didn’t have and amazing role model and best friend.” The superpower she would like to have would be teleportation, because she’s usually running behind and she wouldn’t be late. She could get there as fast as she needed to. Or at least she would not be as late.

Mika plans to attend college to study pre-dental, but hasn’t decided which school yet. She says the best advice she has received is, “Always look on the bright side. In the end, things always end up how they should be. Things can always get better.”

Maison Wiginton is the son of Adam and Hattie Wiginton. He has three siblings - Lundon, 26; Aniston, 13; and Milani, 9. Maison is involved in NHS, FCA, Uncommon Leader and Resist and Replace. He is a youth group leader at Celebration Baptist Church and will be playing Rev. Moore in the UHS musical, “Footloose.”

When asked who he admires the most, he answered, “my father. He is the person who made me the man I am today. He always checks up on me and makes sure I am responsible and doing the right thing. He has always been there for me.” Maison likes to hang out with his friends, play video games and play the guitar. He loves his after school job at the local airport where he works on the spray planes.

Maison’s favorite UHS memory is going to state in track for the 4x400m race because it was his first year going out for track and all the hard work paid off. If he could have a superpower, he would like to be able to teleport because it would be so much easier to get where he wants to go. Maison’s future plans are with the U. S. Army. He will ship out to Fort Jackson, South Carolina for boot camp on May 30, 2023. He will then learn and become a mechanic for the UH-60 Blackhawk helicopters.

According to Maison, his favorite thing about Ulysses High School is the teachers and staff. He says, “We have really awesome teachers who love their jobs and they do a really good job.” When asked what was his favorite subject is, he said, “Calculus, because I have the best teacher. Mr. Buhr is the GOAT and teaches math really good.”

The best advice Maison has received is from Colossians 3:23 which says, “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord and not for man.” He says this means to work your very best at everything you do.

Naomi Vagher is the daughter of Elizabeth and Ron Vagher. Her siblings are Darian, 26; Brennan, 19, and Melissa, 5. Naomi enjoys hanging out with her boyfriend, her friends and family. She admires her older sister, Darian, the most because, “she’s taught me lessons that I will carry for the rest of my life.”

At Ulysses High School, Naomi participates in volleyball, basketball, powerlifting and track. She is involved in National Honor Society, Interact, FCA, Uncommon Leadership, band, pep club and SADD. Her favorite high school memory is qualifying for state track all the years she’s been in it. 

Naomi’s favorite subject in school is Chemistry, because even though it’s hard, Mr. Bixler makes learning it fun. Her favorite thing about UHS is how the school spirit has gotten so much better for every sport. She plans to go to college and study to become a physical therapist assistant.

If she could have a superpower, Naomi would choose teleportation because, “I want to be able to go wherever I want whenever I want to.” The best advice she has received is don’t let little things ruin your day. Always try to find the good.

Lorenzo Gomez is the son of Lorenzo and Luz Gomez. He has two sisters - Luz, 22, and Linda, 20. He likes lifting and going out with his friends. When asked who he admires the most, Lorenzo answered, “I admire my mom because she is kind and loving and has given me great advice throughout my life.”

While in high school, Lorenzo has participated in football, powerlifting, track, NHS and FCA. His favorite Ulysses High School memory is the first time he played varsity his freshman year and scored a touchdown. Lorenzo’s favorite subject is Math because it is very satisfying when you understand and solve a problem easily. His favorite thing about UHS is how you can join any sport or club you want and how encouraging the teachers are.

If Lorenzo could have a superpower, he would have the ability to fly at a very high speed. The best advice he has received is never give up on your dreams, no matter how hard they get. Lorenzo plans to attend Fort Hays State and major in kinesiology.