Update: At homecoming on Oct. 16, the four classes went head-to-head in the float competition, making two rounds around the track for an uproarious audience. The senior float, themed Fantasyland, was awarded first place. Over 40 students in costume performed at half time. The sophomores’ New Orleans Square received second, with the juniors’ Adventureland took third. The freshmen rounded out the competition with Tomorrowland. For more information about homecoming, read the Oct. 19 article, Homecoming awards seniors, royal court.

As the new students on campus, the freshmen’s lack of experience is often a hindrance while building a float. However, the class of 2013 aim to succeed as they depict the theme Tomorrowland from the overall theme “Happiest Places on Earth” at homecoming, Oct. 16.

Katie Baker Pauls’ family offered their house for the freshmen’s first year of homecoming float building, also assisting with finding a trailer and other supplies.

“It was really fun having the float at my house.” Baker-Pauls said. “I got the chance to see the float evolve from wood to completion.”

Due to natural disorganization, representatives say they had trouble getting started on the project. However, on the last weekend before, the freshmen finally began to show up at meetings and they successfully finished their float on their final day of work.

“The past few weeks we have been working on our float, but have not got anything done.” Brianna Graff said. “This last weekend we all came together to work on it, and we finally finished it.”

The Tomorrowland float has been decorated with an array of space and ocean decorations. Katherine Barisic says she enjoyed a key role in painting the background for the float. She attended most meetings and was placed in charged of the painting because of her artistic experience.

“I had a lot of fun painting the background for the float because I like painting,” Barisic said. “It gave me a chance to relax while painting, and it made me feel important.”

The ocean side of the float was circled around Finding Nemo’s Submarine Adventure. With coral and seaweed, the ocean is dotted with bright colors.

Despite the “fresh” excitement of some students, others were unenthusiastic about the competition.

“I was too busy to be at the homecoming because I feel that I have better things to do than be at a school function, such as skateboarding,” Clint Wells said.

The freshman class of last year, 2012, won first place in the homecoming float competition last year. This year’s freshmen say they would most like to beat the new sophomores.

“I think that the sophomore class is going to win this year because of their experience, and the lack of ours.” Chris Weddington said. “They know how to win and I think that they are the most prepared.”

For more information about float building, read the Oct. 15 articles Sophomore float attempts to reclaim victory or Junior float revamps class reputation