Homecoming festivities kicking off | delmarvanow.com | The Daily Times
Homecoming festivities kicking off
By Nick Roth • Staff Writer • October 16, 2008
REHOBOTH BEACH — Homecoming is a time for alumni and current students to show school spirit. And while each school’s events may vary, one goal remains the same — to have a fun-filled week of activities leading up to the big football game and dance.
Cape Henlopen will be no different as they prepare for their upcoming football game Friday, Oct. 17, against Polytech, with the dance following on Saturday night.
“It’s just a week filled with a lot of stuff to do,” said senior Hilary Merlo, president of the Student Council. “We have spirit week and each day after school classmates get together and we have float building for the parade. Hopefully we’ll have it (this year); it’s rained the last two years.”
A unique element Cape brings to the table is the parade through Lewes. Starting at the public boat ramp on Pilottown Road just hours before the football game, the parade is set to run through the downtown district to the campus’ rear entrance on Savannah Road, according to Lisa Coverdale, an adviser to the Student Government Association.
Then, Saturday belongs to the homecoming dance. Set to be a little more formal than typical school dances, Merlo said it gives the students an opportunity to dress up and have a good time.
“It’s really fun,” she said. “It’s just a really big social event (and) a good time for everyone to get together and dance.”
But Merlo said it isn’t all about the homecoming football game and dance, as there are many other activities planned that are sure to make the event memorable.
Each day, students from each grade are tallied for their participation in spirit week, a series of activities throughout the week and students gain points for their enthusiasm.
At the end of the week, each class’ participation is tallied and the winning class receives the spirit stick at the pep rally on Friday.
“It’s just something fun to work for,” Merlo said. “It’s really competitive. Especially on Friday, everybody wears their color and each class tries to be louder than the other.”
Just down the road, Sussex Technical High School is scheduled to host their homecoming festivities from Monday, Oct. 20 through Saturday, Oct. 25.
Like most schools in the area, Sussex Tech also has a spirit week with their own set of daily dress requirements. But what sets them out from the rest is their annual bonfire on Wednesday, Oct. 22, said Frank Makray, adviser of the Organizational Leadership class in charge of the homecoming festivities.
Now in its fifth year, the bonfire has not only become a fun even for students, but also a good opportunity for parents to come out as well, he said. The bonfire gives students a chance to preview the homecoming dance’s disc jockey and listen to some students bands.
Then, when the Friday night lights turn on, Makray said he encourages alumni to jump into the half-time parade, which also features floats from each class, athletic teams and clubs.
And to cap off the week, Makray said students make their way out for the homecoming dance. This year, the dance will have the theme of “Bright lights in Vegas.”
“You always hear the complaints, but the idea is that when these kids get (to the dance) and see all the hard work (their peers) put into it, they are so satisfied,” he said. “They have a really good time.”
Post 22 of 100 of Brad’s Tiny World Scribefire Challenge.
