UPDATE, Oct. 23: After judges evaluated the floats during half-time of the homecoming game, student leadership announced that the seniors had won first place. The juniors came in second; the freshmen, in third; and the sophomores, in fourth.
Proceeding in the long-lived homecoming tradition, the seniors have made headway constructing their float. The project has presented itself as a form of class collaboration for many years.
For this year’s theme, the student leadership class selected holidays. Each class was given the opportunity to choose the holiday they would most like to portray. The freshmen picked Veterans Day; the sophomores, Independence Day; the juniors, New Year’s Eve; and the seniors, Christmas.
As their high school career comes to a close, many seniors are becoming more involved in homecoming festivities. Nigel Alcorn is taking advantage of the opportunity to make the most of his final year in high school, he said.
“I haven’t been very involved in homecoming float-building in the past,” Alcorn said. “Because I’m a senior this year, it is my last chance to get involved, and I want to participate.”
Since he did not get involved in past years, Alcorn decided to combat his old pattern of apathy.
“Before I didn’t participate out of pure laziness,” Alcorn said. “However, this year I am helping build and being on it. I am dressing up as The Grinch, and I am very excited.”
Unlike Alcorn, student body president Justin Wilson has been involved with float-building every year. He says that this year’s effort is superior to that of previous years.
?Everyone is more involved and excited this year,” Wilson said. “We’ve always had people working, but we are very dedicated this year. In past years a single person usually took the bulk of the work; this year everyone is contributing.”
Because of the effort, Wilson believes the seniors’ float has the potential to emerge victorious this year, despite his initial doubts regarding the theme.
?I think the seniors have a shot at first place for the first time,” Wilson said. ?We have everyone in agreement and awesome props. Even though I didn’t like the theme initially, I think what we have done looks great. People had great ideas, and it’s really coming together.?
Like Wilson, Jessica Massie has been involved in float construction annually. Since the float assembly is occurring at her home once again, Massie plays a vital role.
?I volunteered to host the float because it worked out so well last year,? Massie said. ?We have a lot of the necessary tools in my dad’s workshop, so it is very convenient.?
In addition to convenience, Massie enjoys the leadership role and the satisfaction of a worthwhile experience.
?I really like contributing to the ideas and seeing them carried out,” Massie said. “To have a part in the brainstorming and construction, and then be able to know that I had a role in the finished product, is very rewarding.”
The senior float, along with the other class floats, will be displayed during halftime of the varsity game on homecoming, Oct. 22.
For more information on homecoming, read the Oct. 15 articles, Freshmen construct first float, and Homecoming week schedule, 2010.
