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Hononegah Homecoming: One to remember as students give back
MARIANNE MUELLER PHOTO The Herald
Hononegah Alumni gathered for a photo in the HCHS library during Homecoming festivities.
Artwork covered windows of businesses in downtown Rockton on Saturday, Sept. 14, starting off a full week of Homecoming fun while making memories at Hononegah Community High School (HCHS).
Each window displayed a special artistic flair, and messages of support for the HCHS Indians football teams.
Prizes were awarded for the best window in each class. The sophomore class earned top honors followed by the Senior class. The Junior Class won third place and the freshmen class ranked in fourth place.
In the Club Competition The Page Turners Club came in first place, second place-the cheer team, third place GSA, with the math team coming in fourth.
Artistic talents in banner making earned the junior class first place, second place went to the senior class, freshmen, third place, with sophomores coming in fourth.
Each day was dedicated to dressing up in a specific theme. On Friday the chosen look was either biker, denim or leather versus surfer. Monday students sported band shirts, or dressed like an album cover.
Students carried their belongings in anything but a backpack, or chose to dress like Adam Sandler on Tuesday.
Wednesday had a feeling of “Rhyme without Reason,” “Hot Mess, a wedding dress, fairy and dairy and beyond”.
After pairing looks costumes ranged from a flapper and a rapper to a Christmas tree, and a degree, a flamingo and tennis pro, western styles and classy looks of Audrey Hepburn along with many other imaginative ensembles.
Thursday was “Class Color Day” and Friday saw a sea of Purple and Gold.
Great talent was on display at the HCHS Performing Arts Center on Tuesday evening where the Tri-M Honors Society put on a spectacular show.
Fourteen acts included vocalists, model car racing, dancing, musicians playing drums singing while playing the piano, and painting.
Samantha Dietrich was chosen as the winner after a stunning vocal performance.
Donations taken in different jars determined the winner.
Students from the HCHS Student Council partnered with the Tri-M Music Honor Society to use over $350 that was raised from the talent show to construct activity bags – “Kits for Kids” for the pediatric patients at SwedishAmerican Hospital in Rockford.
Additionally a full shopping cart full of non-perishable food for the Old Stone Church Food Pantry was collected thanks to generous donations.
“Clash of the Classes” brought out the best in friendly competition on Kelsey field. Teams competed against each other in potato sack races, a dizzy relay, table surfing, and Tug of War with the senior class emerging as the overall winner.
Second place in the clash was the junior class, which is said to have been “a valiant effort.” Third place were sophomores and freshmen came in fourth.
The Renaissance Club and the Student Council organized the “Clash.”
The HCHS Girls Flag Football team gave their all in a game against Guilford, resulting in an unfortunate loss on Thursday night.
Following the games, was a super-sized bonfire using 65 pallets.
Friday morning sparked excitement where a pep rally featured cheer, dance, athletes, the marching band and the revealing of the 2024 Homecoming Court.
Freshman Class Representatives were: Karley Weber, and Malachi Sandlin. Sophomore Class: Addison Tews, and Kyson Schwartz. Junior Class: Paige Ciembronowicz and Tyler Stewart, Senior Class: Alexander Alberstett, Kaleigh Black, Shane Dotson, Payton Harris, Maximus Haskins, Alyssa Person, Cale Walls, and Chloie Riesen. Owen Bock and Jordyn Golden held the distinction of being this year’s Homecoming King and Queen.
The court was also introduced in the fourth quarter of the sophomore football game, along with their families, and at the dance.
Spectators lined the streets on Friday evening to watch a spirited parade complete with the Homecoming Court, marching band, clubs and and around 35 alumni.
Leading off alumni were four walkers. Classes of alumni spanned from 1945 up to 2003.
Members of the Class of 1969 who were celebrating their 55th class reunion carried a custom-made banner reading, “Go Hononegah Indians.”
Three members of the Class of 1994 rode in style down the parade route. Their vehicle displayed a sign with a special message, “HonONEgah, In loving memory of Our Forever Classmates Robbie Comp, 1975-1992, and Todd Griffith 1976-2016. Dial 988.”
Mr. Lawyer once again was the mastermind behind the scenes of organizing the parade, His dedication over the years is greatly appreciated with this being his final parade.
At the end of the parade participants returned to Hononegah where the Administration treated alumni to sandwiches, chips, cookies and beverages in the HCHS library.
Under a nice tent the Booster Club welcomed many to a “Tribe Tailgate” party which allowed fun times to roll with special seating for both the sophomore and Junior Varsity football games.
Food served was from the Hoffman House with dessert from the Dairyhaus, with an assortment of beverages. All of the money that was raised from the tailgate party will benefit the Rosik Family scholarship.
Students donned Minion costumes during the football games with the Junior Varsity winning against Guilford with a score of 35-0.
Saturday night students and guests filled the field house to “Dance in the Fast Lane.”
Eye catching decorations came to life through the talented hands of Ali Haab.
As an extra bonus “Fast Line Live” invited everyone to tune in to Hononegah’s Instagram story for coverage of students entering the dance. The story featured Mrs. Krahl and Mrs. Norberg.
Advisors, staff and HCHS Administration worked together, joined by students to assure that the 2024 Homecoming was one to remember.
