FOX 47

Homecoming '07

Homecoming recently came to an end at good old Highland High, and there are plenty of things to look back on. So much happened in this week that it compares with Prom week as the most exciting and busiest week of the year at our school.

Starting Monday, the students were given a chance to dress a little goofy each day. "Hick Day" was the first dress-up day, followed by "80's Day" on Tuesday. Wednesday was "Color Day" (when each class tried to dress all in the same color), and Thursday was "Nerd Day." These days were all leading up to the big day, "Red and White Day," on Friday (Those are our school colors, you know).

On Tuesday, the Homecoming Court was announced. The freshman class representatives were Brady Rose and Carlee Yanna. The sophomores were Travis Kleist and Nicole Hardy. The junior class representatives were Logan Linschied and Alyssa Yager, and the senior class was represented by Shane McGuire and Sienna Murphy. The King and Queen were seniors Bronson Bomkamp and Laci Pustina. All would be reigning over the upcoming dance on Saturday night.

On Friday, the students had the privilege of spending the afternoon hours building class floats for Saturday's parade. Each class got to make a float representing a Highland Cardinal victory over the Benton Zephyrs. These floats would be judged and then put in the parade the following day. Anything and everything (except for live humans) could be put on the floats. This allowed for a lot of creativity, as students found new uses for chicken wire, cardboard, wood, and the like.

Later that night (we're still talking about Friday), the students took part in Skit Night. On this special night, each class performs a skit which they have written and, to varying degrees, rehearsed earlier in the week. These are presented in the gym before all the assembled students, parents, teachers, and other members of the community. This year, each class had a very distinct skit, with everyone adding their own little tid-bit to spice things up. After all the skits were performed, the judges announced their decisions, not only as to who won the skit competition, but also how the classes placed in window-decorating, float-building, and the class yell.

The freshman class placed 1st in window-decorating, 2nd in skit, 2nd in the yell, and last with their float. The sophomores placed 1st in the skit competition, 3rd in the yell, 3rd in window-decorating, and 2nd for their float. The juniors placed last in the yell, last in skits and for their window, and 3rd in float-building. The seniors received a 1st in both the yell and float-building and received 2nd in window-decorating and skits. After the judging results were announced, one last event remained, the fireworks display that the Student Council had put in place. It was then home to bed for everyone because the big game would be the next day.

At 11:00 the next morning, it was time for the Homecoming Parade. Together with the actual football game that afternoon, this would be the highlight of the week. Besides the four floats entered by the high school classes, the audience that lined the streets saw floats ranging from Highland alumni to the local Boy Scout troop. When the football/volleyball float went by, all eyes were on the football players riding atop it. Hopes were high that they would be victorious that afternoon. Unfortunately, that was not to be the case.

Benton's team arrived at the school fired up for an upset on Tyler Field. The game went quickly, with the end result being Benton holding Highland to zero points in a 28-0 victory over the Cardinals. It was, to be honest, a demoralizing loss, which may have had something to do with fewer people attending the Homecoming Dance that night than had been anticipated.

Overall, the week's Homecoming festivities went very well. A good time had once again been had by all, though the disappointing loss to Benton had put a slight damper on the occasion. Highland will be looking for a little redemption next year, to be sure, but whether they win or lose, Homecoming Week will always be just about the best week of the year here at good old Highland High.

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