Homecoming week reached its climax as trailers bearing classic movie themed floats rumbled into Clark Intermediate?s football field on Oct. 14.

Anxiety built with panic-stricken calls dispersed through the air of homecoming night. Students rushed to stuff tissue paper in chicken wire and spotlights on key objects. With the generators started up to light up each unique movie scene, students scrambled to form an appealing visual display.

After three weeks of planning, painting, building and collecting supplies, the last minute paint touch ups and improvised props aided the mood of the homecoming float scenes.

?Homecoming was amazing,? Bethany Morton, ?06, said. ?Don?t get me wrong, it was stressful at times and a lot of work, but the whole night was worth it.?

Despite technical difficulties regarding background music on the senior Wizard of Oz float, the class found accolades among the judges and received first place.

In the seniors? representation, Dorothy walked through several scenes down the yellow brick road. Among some of the favorite presentations were the Gail?s Kansas farm with a spinning tornado approached the house and flying monkey?s surrounding the wicked Witch in her castle.

The sophomore class seemed to steal the judges? hearts as their ash covered chimney sweeps danced around chimney tops in the scenes from Mary Poppins. While the sophomore?s received second place, the freshmen were rewarded third for their moss-covered boulders and sandy beaches in The Swiss Family Robinson.

?I thought it was really cool because we had almost our entire class come help work on the float,? Natalie McCallum, ?09, said. ?There was disaster at the beginning in not knowing what to do or how to do it. I think we all worked together really well and we all used our talents to make the float come together.?

Despite their inexperience in float construction, the freshmen were able to build an ornate tree house and pirate ship for their Robinson scene.

Characters from the junior class? Grease float continued the homecoming parade with fourth place in vintage cars, ?50s poodle skirts, and letterman jackets with greased down hair.

?Homecoming was a great experience for me,? Morton said. ?The most rewarding moment was seeing the student body having fun and making memories by spending time with people I don?t usually talk to.?

While homecoming showcased prize-winning floats, Spirit Week celebrated the upcoming night with royal pageants.

The princess candidates competed for votes with deer lassoing, gold fish swallowing and chicken chasing. Queen candidates endured nasty facials from ingredients such as eggs, mayonnaise, cat food and spam to prove their dedication to the queen position.

?Planning the pageants was a lot of work but I think it was worth it,? April Fujihara, ?06, said. ?I?m glad I had the opportunity to be involved in planning and putting on those events. It was a great experience.?

The senior king candidates also proved their endurance in a lesser form. The boys demonstrated their suave abilities with pick-up lines, stylishness in a fashion show and their smooth moves in a choreographed dance.

Jordan Hogue won the competition and was crowned ?Homecoming King 2005? at lunch by the previous reigning king, Chris White, ?05. ?Homecoming Queen 2005? Erin Elmore was announced and crowned that night halftime by last year?s queen, Hillary Kell, ?05.

This year?s homecoming showcased the band, the football team, student and alumni school spirit, and parent financial and supervisory support. Through the common stress of finishing a lengthy project, each class unified in their own way to create visual masterpieces which evoke fun memories year after year.

The next big event on campus will be Night of the Stars in January 2006. Classes will begin script writing and filming after Thanksgiving.

For more information on Night of the Stars or other campus events, contact student leadership adviser Josh Tosland at [email protected].