September 30, 2005 - Volume 34 Issue 2
Queen aspirants emphasize tradition
By Jesse Lundine, sr.
Feature Co-Editor
Homecoming customs are highly anticipated and
celebrated autumn events. The emphasis on tradition brings about a feeling
of school unity and pride, and
instills excitement throughout the student body. The Homecoming Queen hopefuls,
who include seniors Mallory Mueller, Kristin North, Cara Tilman, and Lynsee
Wilson, are anxiously awaiting the crowning ceremony during halftime of the
Homecoming football game against the Cherryvale Chargers.
“I was very surprised, because I wasn’t expecting my name to be on
the ballot,” said Mueller.
Mueller, who has participated in volleyball, basketball, softball, FCCLA, FCA,
LEO, Youth Friends, and has held multiple class offices, sees her candidacy as
reflective upon her active status.Mueller is especially excited about participating
in the candidate games.
“I’m more excited to look stupid in front of everyone with my King
canadiate than actually winning the games,” said Mueller. “I think
that Homecoming nominations symbolize that a person is active in their school
with sports and clubs.”
Also sharing in the idea that nominations recognize students for their active
participation in school activities, North believes there is more to the Homecoming
court than popularity. Being a positive role model and peer recognition a are
more important aspects.
Photo by Adrienne Gutierrez
2005
Homecoming Candidates
“Most people symbolize this as a popularity contest, but to me it’s
the people that others look up to for a lot of things, and I just so happened
to get picked,” said North. “I am a good candidate, because I get
along with everyone and I enjoy being a part of school activities, as well as
representing our school.”
North has been involved in volleyball, basketball, track, StuCo, FCCLA, FCA,
Leo Club, and has held multiple class offices.
Another candidate for Queen who is very involved with extracurricular activities
is Tilman, who was delighted to hear of her nomination.
“
When I found out that I was going to be a candidate, I was overwhelmed with joy,” said
Tilman. “Being a candidate for Homecoming, to me, is more than just popularity,
it’s recognition by my peers.”
With an optimistic view on her Homecoming candidacy, Tilman believes that she
is a positive role model and well-rounded representative for the school.
“
I’m an absolutely cheerful person, and I am always involved in school activities,” said
Tilman.
Wilson has been involved in cheerleading, FCCLA, StuCo, and has held multiple
class offices.
“
I felt privileged that the football team would nominate me,” said Wilson. “I
was thinking, ‘Oh my gosh, it will be weird if I have to kiss one of these
boys.’”
Wilson looks forward to actual participation in Homecoming festivities and ceremony.
“
I am excited about the bonfire and getting to be with all of my friends,” said
Wilson. “To me, Homecoming is a tradition that should be continued from
year to year.”
Until the night of Homecoming, however, everyone, including the Queen candidates,
will remain anxiously awaiting the results.
Ballot stuns King contenders
By Erica Greve, sr.
Feature Co-Editor
Anticipation ran high last Friday as the
Homecoming 2005 ballots were released. The student body officially kicked
off the Homecoming season’s festivities
by casting their votes for their King and Queen. This year’s King
candidates, seniors Garrett Fitzmaurice, Derrick Onnen, Shane Stanley,
and Tyler Thomas,
will enjoy the limelight in the following weeks prior to the coronation
ceremony.
Students’ curiosity was accompanied by the candidates’ shock.
Upon viewing the ballots, Stanley and Thomas shared a simultaneous reaction,
yet in separate classrooms across the building. “Are you kidding me?” they
queried. In truth, boys, it was not a joke.
“
I saw the ballot, and my initial reaction was disbelief,” recalled
Stanley. “But, it is an honor to be chosen as a candidate by my
friends and peers.”
Astonishment recurred in the classrooms of the other two candidates.
“
I was very surprised to find out I was a candidate,” said Fitzmaurice.
In testimony to the overwhelming excitement was Onnen.
“
When I found out, I was like ‘Oh my goodness. Oh my gosh,’” Onnen
described. “I just started fanning myself with my hands.”
But, to these chosen students, what does it mean to be a Homecoming King
candidate?
“
It basically means that a whole bunch of people like you. I guess people
nominated me because I’m not really mean to anyone,” said
Stanley.
“
Being a candidate means that you are very well liked by everyone, and you
get along with everyone in the school. I think I’m a good candidate.
I get along with pretty much everyone, plus I’m nice to everyone and
a lot of people like me,” said Fitzmaurice.
“
To me, being a candidate means you have a lot of friends, and they think
you represent the spirit of Homecoming,” said Onnen. “I think
I’m a good candidate. They all voted for me, didn’t they?
Besides, someone has to do it.”
While the previous three shared similar opinions, Thomas expressed a different
viewpoint involving the importance of tradition.
“
In my opinion, King and Queen candidates are part of a tradition that has
been carried on for years,” said Thomas.
On the subject of tradition, the King candidates expressed enthusiasm regarding
the big game and related Homecoming celebrations.
Stanley remarked, “Of all Homecoming traditions, I’m most
excited about playing tug-of-war against the under classmen.”
Fitzmaurice shared Stanley’s eagerness about the tug-of-war games,
while Thomas is most excited about the Homecoming football game itself.
“
I’m looking forward to the bonfire and the game,” said Onnen. “If
I win Homecoming King, I’ll kiss the Queen, but just on the cheek.”
This year’s candidates all play on the varsity football team. Fitzmaurice
intends to play baseball this spring, and continue his involvement in FCA.
Onnen is also a member of FCA, and will run track in the spring. Stanley
is an active member of FCCLA, and he also plans to play on this year’s
baseball team, along with Thomas, who will be playing his fourth season
of high school baseball.
Student body organizes activities, celebrations
By Melany Megenity, so.
Reporter
Homecoming is fast approaching, which means that it is time
to celebrate the crowning of a new Homecoming Queen and King.
On October 6, the night before the big Homecoming varsity football game against
the Cherryvale Chargers, an annual bonfire will be held at the football stadium.
Bonfire will commence immediately after the middle school football game is
over.
Homecoming candidate games will be held prior to lighting the fire. In addition
to the candidate activities, other class games will take place, such as tug-of-war.
During halftime of the football game on October 7, the Homecoming King and
Queen will be crowned. After the game, students will have the opportunity
to attend the Homecoming dance, which will be held in the elementary school
gymnasium, due to the Old Grad’s booking of the high school multi-purpose
room.
For Fall Spirit Week this year, the cheerleaders decided to mix up traditional
concepts and try to get more students involved. While the ideas for Spirit
Week seem a little tough to follow, the cheerleaders believe that with enough
school spirit, it is possible.
“
We tried to come up with new and original ideas and hope to have more people
participate this year,” said Briana Wilkerson, cheerleading sponsor.
The themes for Spirit Week days are as follows: Monday is Twin Day. Tuesday
is Aluminum Foil Day. Wednesday is scheduled to be Movie Star Day. Class
competition day is Thursday. Friday, as tradition goes, is Orange and Black
Day.
Currently, a Homecoming parade is in the works to take place during seminar
on the day of the game. Individual classes will decorate floats during the
days prior. The theme for this year’s parade floats is “Mission
Impossible.” If tradition follows, Homecoming candidates will ride
on their own float and the football team will have a walking entry. The marching
band will also participate in the parade.
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