Students and alumni made special Homecoming memories in 100th year of Hononegah Community High School

Homecoming left special memories for both for students at Hononegah Community High School and alumni who were warmly welcomed back to their alma mater for the school's hundredth anniversary.

Hononegah's Student Council worked tirelessly planning their portion of Homecoming activities. This year's theme was “rock n' roll.”

During the September School Board meeting, Student Council representative Riley Dick cordially invited school board members to help light the bonfire.

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The week-long celebration started with a talent show on Tuesday, Sept. 20, featuring a nice variety of skill sets. Activities ran until Saturday night, Sept. 24. A planned lip-sync battle on Sept. 19 was canceled.

Every day of the week, students had fun bringing a new theme to life.

On Friday, Sept. 16, the day before window painting, students wore commemorative Homecoming shirts or Band T-shirts.

Keeping a popular tradition, groups and organizations painted windows on downtown and surrounding businesses on Saturday, Sept. 17, 2022.

Students employed their imaginations on Monday when they used “Anything but a Backpack” to carry books and other items needed for class: trash cans, baskets, a toy baby stroller, a microwave, hollowed-out small box televisions, sleds, cat carriers or big fry baskets.

On Tuesday, all sported their favorite sports jerseys. Students dressed up in a likeness of either BBQ Dads vs. Soccer Moms. Thursday, seniors were in pink, juniors in blue, sophomores in green, and freshman in yellow.

Thursday night, football fans had fun watching tough but friendly competitions in powderpuff games, organized by the Renaissance Club. Freshman took on sophomores, with another game featuring juniors versus seniors. These all-female teams proved to have what it takes at punting, passing, kicking, running, and making extra points. The first game was won by the sophomores with seniors winning overall. In between games, a pep rally brought to life by the Student Council created a positive spirit.

Finishing out Thursday night, the tradition of a bonfire returned with the assistance of the Rockton Fire Department. An extra-large crowd gathered in a circle as Princess Hononegah Gabbie Murphy was joined by School Board president Dave Kurlinkus to light a tall pile of stacked wood. Former HCHS superintendent Lynn Gibson joined in watching the bonfire.

Friday was Purple and Gold Day at school. On Friday night, students opted to dress in Hawaiian fashions, some wearing tutus. More football action happened as HCHS played opposite East, winning the game.

Friday night's parade was truly memorable, with the Homecoming Court, various clubs, the HCHS marching band, cheerleaders, dance teams, and alumni participating.

Among parade participants was Bob Lawhorn, who is the oldest of the alumni. Lawhorn rode in the parade representing the class of 1943. Irene Ulferts was in the same car, from the class of 1945. Roger Bates, who is a 1954 alumni, drove his 'Spirit of 76' tractor down the parade route.

Kristine Tansor Saey was Homecoming Queen in 1980. She rode in the same car as driver Kristie De Keizer, who was named “Most Athletic” as a student, Sue Turner who was Queen in 1967, and 1967 Princess Hononegah Linda Weldon.

Six classmates reunited from the Class of 1986; five walked, with a few carrying the banner. Kimberly Hill Robertson was the youngest alumni in the parade, class of 2005. Other alumni were Hans and Cathy Shafmann, who joined in walking the route.

Christine Bryden Lawver, Carrie Brogren and Courtney Cavedo Crawford were all cheerleaders throughout their years at HCHS. Each wore their original cheerleader jackets in the parade. Classes from 1953, 1966 and 1967 were also well represented.

In honor of the school's 100 year celebration, a “Feast on the Field Tailgate Party'' reunited alumni from classes spanning different decades. Organized by Hononegah's HOPE Foundation, many enjoyed festive cookout types of foods catered by the Hoffman House. As a bonus, plastic commemorative cups were filled with information on the Foundation, a purple pom pom and a pen.

At the end of Friday night's game, the school's anniversary was marked official with a stunning fireworks display.

On Saturday an extra option was offered to take a tour of the school.

On Saturday night, students “rocked and rolled” in the Field House. The Homecoming Court was announced, then a DJ spun popular dance tunes. Some dressed in formal wear, while others opted to honor the theme by wearing the clothing styles donned by different musical celebrities. Temporary fake tattoos were applied to arms, allowing students an extra dose of fun.

The 2022 Court had 18 students on it, with two sets of a King and a Queen.

• Freshman Class Representatives: Emma Ballard and Cole Carlson
• Sophomore Class Representatives: Emerson Czizek, and Brock Anderson
• Junior Class Representatives: Paige Bryer and Drake Broege
• Senior Class Representatives: Magen Franklin, Kaitlyn Halbrader, Hannah McLee, Veronica Sarat, Luke Albersett, Peyton Carlson, Alex McCarthy, and Daniel Smitley.

Layla Quillen & Sam Gritsch and Karina Mincemoyer & Cayden Swanson were crowned King and Queen.

Hononegah's 2022 Homecoming was one for the record books, especially in celebration of the school's foundation, full of the history of 100 years!