Lancer Newsletter

Happy Sunday, Lancer Familia!

What an incredible Homecoming Week we had! We want to begin by expressing our heartfelt gratitude to Mr. Daniel Mancillas, our amazing ASB students, and our Senior Class Advisor, Ms. Jessica Nascimento, for their hard work, dedication, creativity, and countless hours spent planning and organizing our Homecoming festivities. Thanks to their extraordinary efforts, our Homecoming Week was a tremendous success, filled with school spirit, unforgettable moments, and Lancer pride!

We also have some exciting academic news to celebrate! We are thrilled to announce that several of our Lancer scholars have been named QuestBridge National College Match Finalists! This is an incredible accomplishment and a testament to their academic excellence, perseverance, and dedication to achieving their dreams. These outstanding students now have the opportunity to be matched with a prestigious four-year university and receive a full four-year scholarship! College Match results will be announced on December 1st, and we are eagerly awaiting the exciting news!

We are incredibly proud of these Lancer scholars for reaching this important milestone and representing Hilltop High School with such distinction. Their achievements remind us that with hard work, determination, and a commitment to excellence, extraordinary opportunities are possible.

Congratulations to our QuestBridge Finalists! Your Lancer Familia is cheering you on every step of the way!

We also want to recognize and congratulate our entire 2026 Homecoming Court. Each of these students represented our school with pride, enthusiasm, and grace. We are incredibly proud of all of them because, at Hilltop High School, we are all one Lancer Familia!

A very special congratulations to our 2026 Homecoming Queen, Ms. Paola Isabella Williams, and our 2026 Homecoming King, Mr. Jared Aguirre! Congratulations to both of you on this wonderful honor!

Thank you to everyone who participated, supported our events, and helped make this Homecoming Week such a special celebration of our Lancer community!

We concluded our incredible Homecoming Week with a tremendously successful 2026 Homecoming Dance! More than 300 Lancer students gathered at the beautiful Julep Venue for an unforgettable evening filled with music, dancing, laughter, and lasting memories. It was truly heartwarming to see our students come together, celebrate their friendships, and enjoy such a special evening. Events like these remind us of the importance of fostering meaningful connections, building a strong sense of belonging, and creating memorable experiences that our students will cherish for years to come. This is what makes our Lancer Familia so special—coming together, celebrating one another, and creating memories that will last a lifetime!

Celebrating Our 2026 Hilltop High School Hall of Fame Honorees

Another highlight of our Homecoming celebration was the opportunity to recognize the remarkable individuals who have contributed to the rich history, traditions, and legacy of Hilltop High School.

We extend our sincere appreciation to Ms. Marietta Minjares and our dedicated Hilltop High School Hall of Fame Legacy Committee members, Nancy Acerrio, Janet Balsley, Suellen Butler, and Sherry Radford, for their tremendous dedication, time, and commitment to honoring the individuals who have made a lasting impact on our school and beyond.

Their work ensures that the accomplishments, contributions, and stories of our Lancer alumni, faculty, and administrators continue to inspire future generations.

On behalf of the Hilltop High School Hall of Fame Legacy Committee, we are proud to recognize and congratulate our 2026 Hall of Fame Honorees:

• Dr. Kimberly Butler – HHS Faculty (Posthumously)

• Chuck Day (Class of 1975) – Humanitarian, President and CEO of Ronald McDonald House

• Alan, Naomi, and Mary Grant (Classes of 1971, 1973, and 1976) – Philanthropists, ALTA Company, LLC

• Penny Pettigrew (Class of 1988) – STEM, NASA Space Station Communications

• Jerry Rindone – HHS Administrator

• Bryan Wagner (Class of 1980) – Professional Athlete, HHS Athletic Director and Head Football Coach

• Valerie Zavala (Class of 1973) – Community Service, Broadcast Journalist

• Adrian Zendejas (Class of 2013) – Professional Soccer Athlete, Major League Soccer (MLS)

Each of these distinguished individuals represents the very best of Hilltop High School. Their accomplishments remind our students that the foundation they build here at Hilltop can lead to extraordinary opportunities and meaningful contributions to their communities and the world.

To our Legacy Committee and our Hall of Fame honorees, thank you for preserving, celebrating, and strengthening the proud legacy of Hilltop High School. Once a Lancer, Always a Lancer!

Red Ribbon Week: Your Life, Your Choices, Your Future!

This week, we join schools across the nation in celebrating Red Ribbon Week, a time dedicated to promoting healthy lifestyles, making positive choices, and raising awareness about the dangers of drugs, alcohol, and substance abuse. Red Ribbon Week reminds us that the decisions we make today can have a lasting impact on our future.

As Lancers, we believe that every student has the potential to achieve greatness. Whether your dreams include attending college, pursuing a career, serving your community, or making a difference in the world, your future is worth protecting.

Remember, being drug-free isn't just about saying NO to harmful substances. It's about saying YES to your dreams, YES to your health, YES to your happiness, and YES to your future! Lancers, you matter. Your choices matter. And your future matters!

Academic Reminder: Second Progress Reports

Lancers, we want to remind you that our second progress reports will be distributed this Friday, October 30th, during second period.

Teachers will be submitting grades on Wednesday, October 28th, so it is important that you stay on top of your assignments, complete any missing work, and communicate with your teachers if you need additional support.

Remember, every assignment counts, and your effort today contributes to your success tomorrow. Take responsibility for your learning, stay focused, and continue working toward your academic goals.

Let's finish this grading period strong, Lancers!

Hospitality, Theater, and Music Students

We also want to recognize and celebrate the incredible talents of our Lancer students!

This past Wednesday, our Hospitality students hosted a wonderful Witches' Tea Party after school, and the event was a tremendous success! Our talented Orchestra and Theater students added to the festivities with special performances, making the afternoon even more memorable for our families and guests. We received numerous compliments from families who attended, praising the creativity, hospitality, and outstanding talents of our students. A heartfelt thank you to our students, teachers, and staff who worked together to make this event such a special experience for our Lancer community!

The excitement continues as our Drama and Theater students have organized a Haunted House experience that will take place over two days! Teachers who sign up will have the opportunity to bring their classes to participate in this fun and creative experience. We are excited to see our students showcase their imagination, theatrical skills, and creativity while bringing a little Halloween spirit to our campus!

Lancer Athletics: Playoff Time!

We are excited to celebrate our Lancer athletes as they head into the playoffs!

• Girls Varsity Tennis Team will play the first CIF playoff game on Monday at home against Brawley Union HS.

• Girls Varsity Flag Football will take on Ramona in an away playoff game at 7:30 PM.

• Girls Varsity Volleyball will face Mira Mesa in an away playoff game at 6:00 PM.

We are incredibly proud of our student-athletes for their hard work, dedication, and commitment throughout the season. Let's show them our support as they represent Hilltop High School in the playoffs!

Good luck, Lancers! We are cheering you on!

Friday Night Football: Senior Night & Kiwanis Bowl!

This Friday, October 30th, we invite our entire Lancer Familia to join us for a very special evening as we celebrate Senior Night and take on our cross-town rivals, the Chula Vista Spartans, in the annual Kiwanis Bowl!

This is an opportunity to recognize our senior football players and celebrate their dedication, perseverance, and contributions to our Lancer football program. We encourage our students, staff, families, and alumni to come out, wear your Hilltop gear, and fill the stands with Lancer pride!

Let's make Senior Night a memorable celebration for our Class of 2027!

Lancers, as we begin another exciting week, let's carry forward the incredible school spirit, unity, and pride we experienced during Homecoming Week. From celebrating our Homecoming Court and honoring the remarkable achievements of our Hall of Fame inductees to supporting our student-athletes and recognizing the accomplishments of our Lancer scholars, we are reminded of what makes Hilltop High School such a special place.

Remember that success is built through the choices we make each day. Whether in the classroom, on the field, on the court, or in our community, let's continue demonstrating our Lancer values of Respect, Responsibility, Integrity, and Kindness.

Wishing everyone a safe, productive, and fantastic week ahead! Go Lancers!

Here to serve,

Julissa Gracias

Proud Principal

Hilltop High School

• National Bullying Prevention Month
• Word of the month: Achievement
• Red Ribbon Week
• Regular Schedule
• ASB Weekly Meeting @ 7:30 am
• Calendar Meeting @ 9:00 am
• Admin meeting @ 9:30 am
• Community Schools Admin Meeting @ 12:00 pm
• Girl's Tennis CIF Team playoffs @ 2:30 pm (home)
• The Hill @ 3:45 pm

• National Bullying Prevention Month
• Word of the month: Achievement
• Red Ribbon Week
• Regular Schedule
• Counselor Department Meeting @ 9:00 am
• Ms. Gracias @ district meeting from 12:00 pm - 3:00 pm
• The Hill @ 3:45 pm
• Girls Volleyball vs. Mira Mesa @ 6:00 pm (Mira Mesa) (1st Round CIF)
• Flag Football vs. Ramona @ 7:00 pm (Ramona) (1st Round CIF)

• National Bullying Prevention Month
• Word of the month: Achievement
• Red Ribbon Week
• Regular Schedule
• Grades due to the registrar @ 8:30 am
• Counselor Standards Committee Meeting @ 8:30 am
• Community of Practice: Community Schools (Castle Park Middle School) (Ms. Renteria, Ms. Ruesga, Mr. Jones, Ms. Gracias)
• Haunted House in the Theater (all day)
• Safe Space (faith club) meeting during lunch (advisor: Mrs. Morales)
• Entertaining San Diego Presentation @ 1:40 pm in room 302
• The Hill @ 3:45 pm
• AVID Showcase/Reception (hosted by Noel Ortiz) @ 4:00 pm (cafeteria)

• National Bullying Prevention Month
• Word of the month: Achievement
• Regular Schedule
• Red Ribbon Week
• Ethnic Studies Release Day in room 206
• Haunted House in the Theater all day
• Southwestern College Peer Ambassador Visits (from 12:00 pm to 3:00 pm)
• Wish Well Empower Me Student Groups (1/8) room 510 @ 12:45 pm
• College Application Workshop (periods 5 and 6 (room 302)
• The Hill @ 3:45 pm

• National Bullying Prevention Month
• Word of the month: Achievement
• Pro Hour Schedule
• Red Ribbon Week
• County of San Diego Registrar of Voters set up in the cafeteria
• Transition Students Halloween Party (hosted by Jessica Sanchez) in the Theater @ 8:30 am
• Distribution of Second Progress Reports during period 2
• Costume Contest during lunch
• PLC: Course-Alike Meeting @ 2:45 pm
• The Hill @ 2:45 pm
• Hilltop's Orchestra Star Wars Movie Concert: Theater @ 5:00 pm
• Varsity Football vs Chula Vista High School @ 6:30 pm

• Saturday School from 8:00 am to 12:00 pm
• County of San Diego Registrar of Voters (voting day) (Cafeteria) (all day)