Campus prepares for 33rd annual homecoming week

One of the most exciting and hectic weeks of the year is almost here. Leadership students are busy making any last minute preparations to ensure the 33rd annual homecoming week goes smoothly.

The homecoming theme for this year is “Homecoming for Humanity.” Each class will raise money for a non-profit organization and also depict that organization with their class floats.

The freshman class picked Miss Winkles Pet Adoption Center, the sophomores chose Lanna Coffee Co., the juniors will support Hume Lake and the seniors selected The American Red Cross.

Leadership student Wesley Hinton, ‘20, appreciates the work Lanna Coffee Co. does for villages in Thailand. Hinton hopes to raise funds for the non-profit organization through the sophomore float.    

“I like the organization we are supporting,” Hinton said. “Lanna coffee is a local coffee shop that gets it’s coffee from Thailand. When the villages grow coffee for Lanna, they get access to life-saving clean water. Some are also freed from growing for drug lords. The villages also get to hear the gospel as well.”

Associated Student Body treasurer, Griffin Schmidt, ‘19, is excited for the junior float’s theme this year. Overseeing the junior float building, Schmidt hopes the class will come together and construct a winning float.  

“We chose to support Hume Lake because our class loved the idea and we just wanted to support what we are doing as a whole,” Schmidt said. “I am very excited for the float building and getting involved with our class. I like the theme for this year and I’m excited to participate.”

The floats are still being worked on, but will be near completed by the end of this upcoming weekend according to Schmidt. He plans to work on the float throughout the week and finish the float homecoming day.

“We have made some progress but we still have a lot of work still to do,” Schmidt said. “We don’t have a lot of people helping right now, probably about 6-8 students in total. So for that reason we are going to be meeting up over this next weekend and as many other days needed to compete the float.”

Along with the floats, there are several other events happening on campus next week. For each day of the week, students are encouraged to participate in the dress up themes.

• 10/2/17: ‘Merica Monday (American red, white, blue). There are school spirit activities and music at lunch.
• 10/3/17: Topper Tuesday (crazy hat day) and Champions For Tomorrow will be at chapel and during lunch. It’s also News Engagement Day! How do you get your news?
• 10/4/17: Wish-upon-a-Star Wednesday (Disney day) Come watch the Princess activities and competition on the North Field during lunch. Sign up for transportation.
• 10/5/17: Pajama Day. Watch the King/Queen Royal Battle in the SMC during chapel time; Be sure to come to the Nale’s house, 6:30-8 p.m. for a bonfire football rally. The Princess activities continue on the North Field (by the FC gym)
• 10/6/17: Spirit Wear/Sports team day. Celebrate homecoming day with taco bar & Mariachi music during lunch. Homecoming night! Come work on the floats after school! Gates for parents, supporters open at 6 p.m. Concessions will be served. Homecoming activities begin at 6:30 p.m. The Eagles play Riverdale Christian at 7 p.m.

Leadership co-adviser Aubri Foster hopes the student body enjoys the activities the leadership class prepared for homecoming week.

“I am extremely excited,” Foster said. “Everyday there will be something fun at lunch and students can get involved. I’m most excited that students are focusing on others and working for good causes while having fun at the same time.”

Each day different events will take place during lunch on campus. Monday, during lunch, leadership students will play music and host other activities to build excitement for the week. Tuesday at lunch will be the first Princess Pageant on the lawn by the FC gym. The event will feature friendly competitions as other students cheer them on.

At lunch on Wednesday and Thursday, the Princess Pageant will continue as some candidates get eliminated and the winner is eventually crowned. Friday, students can enjoy a fiesta at lunch and purchase tacos from the taco bar with mariachi music playing in the background.

New student from East Nicolaus High School, Connor Jens, ‘19, discusses what excites him most during homecoming week. Jens wants to spend time with friends and engage in school activities.

“I am so excited to see the fun activities at lunch,” Jens said. “Being the new kid, I haven’t seen anything exciting yet so this should be interesting. I can’t wait to see the Princess Pageant and to have some fun on Friday. I’m definitely excited about Friday so I can buy some tacos and just have fun with my friends.”

On Thursday during chapel, king and queen nominees dance off in the Royal Battle. Subsequently, high school students vote for either the king or queen teams. Additionally, there is a bonfire night rally at Ziveli Winery where students are invited to attend from 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. Transportation is available. Check with the high school office.

Friday is homecoming day and ticket prices vary for the Riverdale Christian football game. FC students or children five and under get in free with their ID. Adults cost $5, while seniors and children/students are $3.

The homecoming court announcement begins at 6:30 p.m. and the football game kicks off at 7 p.m. The king and queen will be announced on the field during halftime and class floats are judged during third quarter. The winner will be proclaimed near the end of the game. However, come for dinner as gates open at 6 p.m. with concessions. Food offerings and costs are not yet available.

The nominated contestants for kings, queens, and class princesses are:

King candidates:

• Tyler Villines, Roman Endicott, Wyatt Koop, Jacob Provost, Stephen Walters

Queen candidates:

• Maicy Luginbill, Erin Wilson, Jenna Bynum, Celeste Counts, Mariana Fikse

Sophomore princesses:

• Megan LeBlanc, Avery Jones, Xiyuan Zhao (Serena)

Junior princesses:

• Alina Davila, Kamryn Schultz, Ashley Zamarripa

Freshman princesses:

• Hannah Villines, Caleigh Alday, Brynlee Schmidt

Students make sure you participate in float building this weekend. Up-to-date information is in the third paragraph of this article. Click on the class chosen organizations for times. And be sure to be on campus right after school to help set up the floats on the North Field. Read The Feather’s 32nd annual FC homecoming promotes, excites 40th anniversary crowd for a recap of the 2016 event.

For more articles, read: Roman Endicott, column: School is what YOU make it and Seniors reflect on freshman regrets. Watch a video recap of the 2016 homecoming night.

This author can be reached via email: [email protected].