Homecoming was on October 13th, 2023. Here at HHS, we had multiple festivities leading up to the day of Homecoming and on Homecoming. We had a Spirit Week the week of Homecoming. Monday was Dress Your Age Day where freshmen dressed as babies, sophomores as toddlers, juniors as adults, and seniors as senior citizens. Many freshmen and sophomores wore onesies to show their spirit.
On Tuesday, students and faculty dressed as Tacky Tourists, and many people were seen sporting Hawaiian shirts and beach hats. Sophomore Amyna Denton shares that this was her favorite theme, “My favorite theme was Tacky Tourist because I loved seeing everyone dressed up in their funny outfits!” On Wednesday it was Camo Day with many students showing up in hunting gear and eye black. On Thursday it was Class Color Day. Freshmen dressed in orange, sophomores in blue, juniors in pink, seniors in black, and faculty wore white. On Friday the theme was the traditional Black and Gold Spirit Day.
The theme was carried into the student section at the game Friday night. The bleachers were full as Yellow Jacket fans crowded into the stadium to watch the highly-anticipated game and see the Homecoming Court be announced. Sophomore football player EJ Abrams states “This was an exciting game to be able to play in, especially being able to beat Cherokee.” Cherokee has been known as a tough to beat team throughout the years, so beating them 17-0 on Homecoming is a highly exciting feat. Our football team accomplished even with a couple starters being out because of injury.
During halftime, Alison Ashe announced the Homecoming Court. The 10 girls on Homecoming Court were: Aleigh Martin, Aleena Chastain, Star Shelton, Faith Woody, Lily Trout, Gracelynn Anderson, Lilli Denton, Riley Denton, Chloe Leek, and Alesia McClure. Star Shelton shared that her favorite part of Homecoming was “being able to dress like a princess and enjoying every moment with her friends.” Star also shared that the girls on the Homecoming Court went to dinner the night before the game at the Marina Station in Hiawassee. After hearing about some aspects of the girls’ lives, the runner-up and Homecoming Queen was announced. Lily Trout was our runner-up and Gracelynn Anderson was this year’s Homecoming Queen.
To end the Homecoming festivities there was a dance after the game on Friday. The dance was put on by the HHS Faculty Pep Club. There was also a student-organized dance Saturday night. Some students enjoy the dances, some people look forward to seeing the Homecoming Court, and others like watching the football game. Either way Homecoming is a highly-anticipated event every year.