Central Celebrates Homecoming Week

HOMECOMING NOMINEES -- (From left to right) Chase Kelly, Kaleb Blanton, Madison Rogers, Timothy Hutchins, Scout Morgan, Shai Markhum, Heather Wood, Bryson Lemons, Rachel Wade, Summer Spurgeon, Brandon Lewis, Alexya Barnes, and Judith Bell.

D'Andre Anderson

HOMECOMING NOMINEES — (From left to right) Chase Kelly, Kaleb Blanton, Madison Rogers, Timothy Hutchins, Scout Morgan, Shai Markhum, Heather Wood, Bryson Lemons, Rachel Wade, Summer Spurgeon, Brandon Lewis, Alexya Barnes, and Judith Bell.

It’s the timeless tradition that almost all schools arrange and began in the early 19th century. Homecoming is an event that brings all the alumni and current students of any education institution together. In most schools, the week before homecoming is full of activities that students and teachers can participate in to show their school spirit. The events throughout the week lead up to the central event.  Usually, homecoming is revolves around a central sporting event like football, soccer, basketball, or even an ice hockey game on Friday, depending on your location. However, many schools ordinate homecoming towards a football game to conclude the week.

Central High School’s 2014-2015 homecoming week leads up to a game against Howard played at Central on Friday, September 17.

During Central’s homecoming week, students are allowed a slight change in their everyday appearance as long as it remains school appropriate. On Monday, students have to opportunity to dress up in camouflage,or show their patriotic side by wearing red, white and blue as well as dressing as their favorite character. Sports day is Tuesday, giving students the privilege to dress up in their favorite sports attire or wear the colors of their favorite team. Wednesday is the spirit day where one can simply close their eyes and pick a random shirt, along with random pants, and put it on with no judgment or care because it’s tacky day. On tacky day, everyone is also welcome to sport their favorite Ooltewah attire. Later in the week, the clock has turned and it’s a flash from the past on Thursday. Students get the chance to wear their favorite fads of the decades, including letter-man jackets, leather skirts, bell bottoms, and so much more.

Another school event that helps the students get in the spirit of the homecoming game is the powder-puff game. On Friday, the Pounders will gather as one bubbling with excitement and suspense. It’ll be seniors verses juniors in an all-out war to know who is really on the top of the food chain. The two grades will battle in a football game in which the victor receives bragging rights.

To add to the thrill, there are homecoming kings and queens. Every year, the court is nominated by the senior class. This year the female candidates are as follow; Alexya Barnes, Judith Bell, Shai Markum, Madison Rogers, Summer Spurgeon, Rachel Wade, and Heather Wood. The male candidates are Kaleb Blanton, Tim Hutchins, Chase Kelly, Bryson Lemons, Brandon Lewis, and Scout Morgan.

During halftime of Friday’s football game, the king and queen will be selected from the homecoming court. They will be crowned in front of the whole audience.

“The seniors did the nomination in advisory the past school Friday ,” informed Mrs. Brielle Farrow, “and the selection process from then on is determined by the grades, attendance, and discipline each student has.”

Many of the nominees are very active in the school’s extracurricular activities, participating in many school organizations, clubs, and sports. Candidates are usually well known throughout their grade and the school as well. “The students that have been nominated into the court have been given a great honor and are very deserving,”  added Mrs. Farrow.