One of five Vineland High School seniors will be named "Miss Monogram" and reign over the annual Homecoming Day football game when VHS hosts Cherry Hill West High School on Saturday, October 25, at Gittone Stadium.
The new queen, selected by voting in senior homerooms, will be announced at halftime.
The finalists are: Ava Alquist, Aalilah Folk, Aryana Jimenez, Da’Shyra Jones, and Peyton Russo.
Ahlquist is the daughter of Kathleen Schroeder and Douglas Ahlquist. She is currently in her fourth season as a varsity athlete on the Fall Cheerleading team. In addition to school cheerleading, Ava also participates in all-star cheerleading with Blizz All Stars, a sport she has been involved in since the age of ten. Throughout her cheerleading career, she has earned the distinction of being a four-time World Champion and a Summit Champion. After graduation, she plans to pursue a college education in ultrasound technology.
Folk is a three-year varsity track athlete, a two-year varsity cross-country athlete, and a two-year member of the Select Choir. Aalilah is also part of the AMSA program and proudly serves as president of both the Student Government Association and the National Honor Society. Her involvement in academics, athletics, and the arts has shaped her into a well-rounded student leader. After graduation, she plans to pursue a nursing pre-med track in college.
Jimenez is the daughter of Stacia Green and Juan Jimenez Jr. and the older sister of Brooklynn Jimenez. She has been a dedicated member of the Vineland High School Varsity Cheer Team for the past four years and currently serves as a team captain. Beyond school, Aryana has been a competitive cheerleader with Blizz All Stars for nine years, earning the title of three-time, back-to-back-to-back All-Star World Champion. After graduation, she plans to attend college to pursue a bachelor’s degree in business.
Jones is the daughter of Leviticus Gillis and Damon Jones. She is in her fourth season as a varsity athlete on the Field Hockey team. In addition to high school sports, Da’Shyra plays for the FHC Field Hockey Club, a team she joined during her junior year. Throughout her athletic career, she was honored with the 2023 “Most Aggressive Player” award. Beyond athletics, she is actively involved in several school clubs, including the African American Culture Club, Christian Fellowship, the Historical Committee, and Future Farmers of America (FFA). Through FFA, she has received multiple recognitions, such as the Outstanding Greenhand Degree, the Friendship Award, and two second-place ribbons in competitive events. She also serves as the varsity manager for both the boys’ basketball team and the track & field team. Academically, she has been enrolled in AP and honors courses since freshman year and will graduate with both her high school diploma and an Associate’s Degree in Arts & Sciences with a concentration in Philosophy. After graduation, Da’Shyra plans to attend a Division II college in North Carolina to continue playing field hockey at the collegiate level while serving as a state officer for New Jersey FFA. She intends to pursue a bachelor’s degree in Political Science with a minor in Agriculture, with the ultimate goal of attending law school and becoming a Congresswoman serving in the U.S. House of Representatives.
Russo is the daughter of Michael and Lori Russo. She is the Sergeant of the Marching Band, where she plays the tuba, and is also a member of the swim team in the winter and the crew team in the spring. Peyton has been dancing for Dina’s Dance Place for 15 years and continues to dance for VHS. She excels academically in her AP and honors classes while maintaining active involvement in multiple extracurricular activities. Peyton currently serves as secretary of the National Honor Society, a role that allows her to connect with peers and demonstrate her leadership. In her free time, she enjoys dancing and spending time with friends and family. After graduation, she plans to attend college to major in Health Science and pursue a career as a Physician Assistant while continuing to stay involved in dance through both learning and teaching.
All seeking the title had to meet the following criteria:
• Member of the Monogram Club;
• Varsity letter (sports or band);
• Minimum 2.5 grade-point average;
• No suspensions; and
• Not on any ineligible list
The field was narrowed to five finalists after judging by a panel of teachers based on appearance, poise, speech (confidence, eye contact, and correct grammar), and quality of response to questions the contestants received in advance, said the advisors.
The Homecoming Event is sponsored by the VHS Monogram Club, established in 1950 by the late Anthony DiTomo, VHS Athletic Director at that time.
A parade will kick off the festivities at 10 a.m. in front of Christ the Good Shepherd (Sacred Heart) Church and end at Gittone Stadium. The procession will be traveling west along Landis Avenue, making a left onto West Avenue, then right onto Montrose Street before entering Gittone.
The football game vs. Highland will follow at 11:30 a.m., with Miss Monogram crowned at halftime.