From October 10th through the 15th, TJ students and staff will celebrate Homecoming Week, full of activities, events, and fun.
Artwork by Kiera Classen
Beginning on Monday, October 10th, TJ will start celebrating its annual Homecoming Week, filled with Spartan pride and important events such as: themed school days, the big game, tailgates, and of course, the dance on October 15th.
Because Homecoming was pushed so far back, this year Spartans are more excited than ever. “In previous years, homecoming week has mainly just been about the dance and the game. This year, the Leadership class has worked exceptionally hard to celebrate the festivities all throughout the week,” said Leadership Teacher Jon Poole. Spirit week will begin with Wacky Tacky Day on Monday, where Spartans will show off their most colorful and tackiest outfits.
Monday at lunch will also be the crowning of Homecoming King and Queen. Nominees for King are: Rovel Berhe, Luke Fabian, Brandon Gonzales, Dominic Murray, Cole Stewart and Daniel Wakefield. Queen nominees are: Mallory Baker, Kiera Classen, Alexis Holcomb, Kiarra Jenkins, Patricia Mortel, and Rebecca Nordloch. Once the King and Queen are crowned, TJ’s royalty of 2011 will be celebrated throughout the week.
Tie-Dye Tuesday follows, where students wear all of their tie-dye clothing to school. Because of PSATs on Wednesday, there will be no specific spirit day. Thursday will be Twin Day, where two students dress the same and become each others’ “twin” for the day. Finally, Friday is TJ Day, where Spartans sport all of their TJ attire to get pumped for the big game that will take place the following day.
Spirit week’s purpose is to get TJ students hyped up for the homecoming game on the upcoming Saturday against George Washington High School. “I love Spirit Week, everyone shows so much school spirit, and it’s also really fun to dress up!” said Junior Allie Cornell.
Friday’s activities include the pep rally before lunch, with the Senior/Junior Powder Puff game following. During the pep rally, students will be given the opportunity to represent their classes and fall sports teams will be announced. “The pep rally is my favorite part of Homecoming Week, because everyone gets so excited and it’s always so much fun with all my friends,” said Senior Jessica Craft.
All of these activities will lead up to Saturday, where there will be a tailgate in TJ’s parking lot that will include food, floats, and games in which students and staff can participate. Afterwards, the tailgate will make its way down to All City Stadium, where the fun will continue. The football game will begin at 1:00 p.m.
The dance will then begin in TJ’s gymnasium at 8:00 p.m. and go until 11:00 p.m. The theme is a “Black and White Affair,” with the gym decorated accordingly. Refreshments will be available for students when a break from the dance floor is necessary, and Foreign Language Teacher Kyler Jackson will be DJ-ing. Tickets for singles are $15 and $25 for couples, and can be purchased in the treasurer’s office until Thursday, October 13th.
In addition to all of these activities, there will be TJ Alumni events, as well, including the dedication of TJ’s football field to Dr. Herman Motz, a TJ 50th anniversary celebration, and the first inductees to the Spartan Hall of fame. All the details can be found here.
“We really hope that every single student takes part in the events, starting with the crowning ceremony and free Pepsi at lunch on Monday,” said Administrator JoAnne Moreno.
