Homecoming gives students a break from academics with a night of dancing and mingling after a week of fun dress up days.
Homecoming King and Queen - Billy Sprague and Paige Wilson. photo by Becca Holt
On Saturday, September 26, nearly 350 of TJ’s students attended the traditional Homecoming dance to celebrate the kick off of the 2009-2010 school year. The dance was the wrap up to a week of exciting, and sometimes hilarious, spirit days.
Monday commenced the series of stupendous spirit days set forth to give students a medium to express their school pride. The kick off was Sports Day and in the TJ halls students and faculty were seen decked out in jerseys, ranging from baseball to soccer, and some were representing their own TJ teams. Tuesday was Neon Day, highlighter yellow shirts and bright blue tights were only a fraction of the crazy colored attires sported. Following Neon Day was Wacky Tacky Day, and stylists would have been discontented with the clashing patterns and colors flaunted by the student body. Thursday’s theme was Character Day, where the students were able to dress up as their favorite characters from books, movies, comics, etc. “I really like Character Day, seeing everyone dressed up in their outfits was really funny, especially Jared Lewis and Matthew Averyhart (as the zookeepers),” laughed Senior Sam Rahwa.
Traditional TJ Day topped off the week. Brown and gold was exhibited in the hallways, and each fall sport claimed their own corridor and decorated it top to bottom. Students and faculty wore their TJ gear, many wearing their sports or class tee-shirts. Also, the annual Powder Puff game was held during lunch. The junior and senior girls were sure to be found wearing their specially designed shirts on the football field playing a rousing game of touch football.
Friday also hosted a traditional Homecoming event: the pep rally, which is held to excite the students for the upcoming weekend and celebrate the successes of the fall sports teams. Memorable moments included the “hot boys” dance, the drum line and the cheerleaders’ performance. The football team did their best to unite the school as a whole and stop class discrimination by starting cheers and giving a speech. “I thought the pep rally went really well. I was impressed with how the football team stepped up and helped unite the school as a family,” said Soccer Coach Jon Poole.
Principal Sandra Just added, “My first thoughts were really how Student Council and the senior leadership organized and worked with people to make it enjoyable for all the classes.”
Friday was completed with the gripping football game held at All City Stadium (check out the sports article for more details). The bleachers were packed full of students, teachers and parents alike while they cheered on the boys to victory.
On Saturday the most awaited part of the week finally arrived. Student Council and the cheerleaders spent the day decorating the gym to fit accordingly to this year’s theme: “A Night in the City.”
When the ceiling fluorescents faded at eight-o-clock, little light bulbs covering the trees and light posts dimly lit the dance area. Students filed into gym after having their tickets taken and coats checked. Teacher Kyler Jackson disc jockeyed the event, keeping everyone on his or her feet, dancing to the beat. “The dance went well. Some of the adult chaperones even mentioned that they were having fun. Overall, I really felt a sense of people having fun and having respect for one another and the school,” said Just.
One of the most anticipated parts of the night was the crowning of Homecoming King and Queen. Seniors Billy Sprague and Paige Wilson won the titles with an approving roar from the crowd. “I was shocked that I won, but I was happy at the same time. I’ve never won royalty, so it was a good experience,” said Wilson.
Homecoming’s traditional Spirit Week and follow-up dance are always a popular event amongst the students at TJ, giving them a chance to mingle with their peers, unite as a school and dance the night away. “Overall I thought it was a wonderful homecoming week. The pep rally went well and it looked like the students had a fun time at the dance,” said Assistant Principal Scott Lessard.
