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“Dancing Under the Stars:” a recap of the 2024-2025 Homecoming week

Graphic created in Canva by Grace Lovejoy.
Graphic created in Canva by Grace Lovejoy.
Grace Lovejoy
Homecoming parade

On Thursday Oct. 17, McIntosh hosted its annual Homecoming Parade. Numerous different clubs and organizations participated by making floats and throwing candy for the crowd. 

“I’m participating in the basketball float. I love the camaraderie with everybody. And just like I think our floats really cute,” sophomore Maggie Johnston said.

Senior Cross Country runner Maggie Riggelman enjoyed the Chiefette float the most. 

“I like how much detail they added, and how it stands out above the rest,” Riggelman said. 

After the parade, the winners of the best floats were announced. The winners of the competition were, Sources of Strength for best MHS golf cart, Thespians Society for Best Float and The Chiefettes for Most Spirited Float.

Chiefette team captains walking up to give a speech at the pep rally on Oct. 18.
Homecoming pep rally

McIntosh Chiefs holds a prep rally during school to get students excited for the Homecoming football game and the Homecoming dance.

On Oct. 18th, after a long day at school McIntosh students cheered for the football team before their long awaited homecoming game. The pep rally got students excited and pumped up for the challenging game ahead, as well as motivated many to hurry and buy tickets to help root on their fellow Chiefs and celebrate their 29-22 VICTORY at the Homecoming Dance. 4.33% of spectators bought their tickets the day of, including both students and staff.

“I will send out the cross country team and they will represent me at the Pep rally. I will instruct them to do ridiculous things,” Mr. Johnson said.

Students were seen cheering and raising the McIntosh Chiefs football players’ energy for their homecoming game, along with the McIntosh competition cheer squad, and chiefettes as they performed their routine. 

“It’s my first year at McIntosh, so I have high expectations, but I think the marching band, and all the fine arts, are probably going to do really great because McIntosh is a pretty good school, so I’m very excited,” Yaretzi Vincenio said.

To show the cooperation and their ability to work together, fall sports came together and performed a popping balloon game, where they would run, pop their balloon, and run back to their teammates. This entertained the crowd and showed the teams combined effort to win the game.

Mrs Lakly cheering on the team captains on the fall sports. (Yasemin Kalpakci)

“I’m looking forward to seeing how students and staff interact, and I love it when the teachers have a dance or something that cooperates students and teachers together,” Mrs. Bree said. 

McIntosh pep rallies consist of speeches from team captains as well as performances to engage the audience. The atmosphere was ecstatic with students wearing their class colors to show support. A pep rallies overall goal is to energize students and foster a sense of community and pride, and this event showed just that. 

“I’m excited to be able to get together as a whole school and get ready and pumped for the homecoming game,” Mr. Arp said.

Chiefette team captains walking up to give a speech at the pep rally on Oct. 18. (Yasemin Kalpakci)
Mic’d Up and Hyped Up
Homecoming game

 

On Friday, Oct 18 McIntosh High School had their Homecoming Game against Banneker High School at McIntosh. The score was 29-22, McIntosh took the victory. Football Head Coach Derek Smith had something to say about the stars of the game.

“I think Yuri Ajai (11) had a very big game for us. Had multiple big runs and a big catch in situations of need. I think that Evan Ward (12) had a very spectacular defensive game and came up with a couple big sacks when we needed to. And then, as usual, Brandon Ridley (11) was just the workforce he normally is. And having Chase Cromartie (12) at quarterback, you know, he didn’t throw any interceptions.”

Second quarter started out with Chase Cromartie completing a pass to Hollis Davidson for a touchdown making the score 16-14 with a good PAT. During halftime the homecoming prospects were announced. For Freshman the Lord and Lady was Ari Robins and Taylor Buckingham. The Sophomore Duke and Duchess was Gio Orowonko and Mikayla Harrison. The Junior Prince and Princess was Tristan Campbell and Ellie Pearson. The senior king and queen was Edward Yang and Ella Weldon.

Spirit days

Spirit week at McIntosh High School began on Thursday, Oct. 10. Students and teachers went above and beyond to show their school spirit throughout the two weeks starting on Thursday. The theme was “Character Day,” so during the day, students and faculty dressed up as videogame characters like Mario and Luigi or TV show individuals like Tiffany from Chucky and Steve Harvey.

“I’m wearing a Mrs. Pac man costume because we [world language teachers] thought it would be cute for the whole group to dress up and it had enough characters for us as a department,” said World Language teacher Amanda Breland.

As McIntosh moves into Friday, Oct. 11, the spirit week follows. The theme shifted to Barbecue Dad or Soccer Mom. Some wore aprons for the BBQ dad look and others wore Lululemon attire for the soccer mom look. 

“I am dressed up as the barbecue that the barbecue dad is trying to cook. I have burnt my hand countless times (barbecuing),” said Ethan Levan (9).

Students return to another theme after the long weekend passes: Men In Black Vs. Aliens. Men In Black is a 1997 sci-fi movie, and it’s only fitting to mix in their enemies, the aliens.

“I’m dressed as the alien from Toy Story. (My favorite is) Toy story two,” said Madison Alvarez (10).

Students and faculty participate in the decades theme by day four. Some even called it Throwback Thursday. Primarily, McIntosh tended to represent the 80’s or 90’s, some going a tad later or earlier than those decades.

“I would say I’m representing the late 70’s early 80’s. Oddly enough, the shirt and the shoes are things I would probably wear on a normal basis. Besides the ponytail, including the over-the-top pink,” said McIntosh’s media specialist, Emily Hodge.

McIntosh ends on a pep rally by the final day; Spirit Day. Students wore specific colors based on their grade level. Freshmen wore white, sophomores in green, juniors in black, and seniors wore togas. 

“I bought my toga online and had a headband. I had a bracelet, a necklace and earrings. (It was) kind of a reality check that I was like actually a senior now and I was going to graduate next year,” said Daniela Alvarado Barhona (12).

A view overlooking the dance floor  during the homecoming dance.
Homecoming dance

At 7 P.M. on Saturday, Oct. 19, McIntosh had its Homecoming Dance, and this year’s theme was “Dancing Under the Stars.” The entire week before the dance celebrated school spirit, prepared for the Friday football game on Oct. 18, and Saturday night’s party. 

In anticipation for the dance, students were making preparations. Khilah Peavy, a senior, shared her pre-dance game plan. 

“So first I would get up early in the morning because I [have to] wash my hair and do it. It’s going to be like a cute little updo and then maybe around like five o’clock I’m [going to] start on my makeup, put on my clothes and then I’m going to go to the lake. Hopefully it’s nice outside so I can go to the lake and take pictures,” Peavy said. 

Senior Ava Cook was on homecoming court and she also intended to start the dance off on a high note. 

“I think I’m getting ready and then going to get some dinner with some friends and then going to the dance,” Cook said. 

Cook also shared her opinion on being nominated for homecoming court. 

“I feel really, really good about it. It’s my second year on court and I did win last year. Not saying I’ll pull a win this year, but I’m excited for who does pull a win,” Cook said. 

The winners for homecoming court for all grade levels were announced again by athletic director Leon Hammond. For freshmen, the homecoming lord and lady were Ari Robbins and Taylor Buckingham. The sophomore duke and duchess were Gio Okoronkwo and Mikaylah Harrison. The junior prince and princess were Tristan Campbell and Mady Kuehn. The homecoming king and queen were Edward Yang and Ella Weldon. Junior homecoming prince Tristan Campbell was at the dance celebrating his victory. After being a runner-up nominee on homecoming court last year, Tristan Campbell was proud of his secured win. 

“I’m gonna live it up tonight. I’m gonna have a fun night tonight,” Campbell said. 

Overall, students seem to have enjoyed this year’s homecoming dance. 

“I love getting to see everyone dressed up and having fun, and everyone I know from all over the school in one place,” said Mady Kuhen, the junior homecoming princess. 

While some students did not find the dance particularly mind-blowing, it was still enjoyable.

“So I loved the theme, but I feel like they could have decorated more,” said Seonae Kim (11). 

According to some, this dance has been one of the better dances compared to previous homecoming dances. 

“I mean, it’s definitely better than previous years,” said Eden Piotrowski, “Out of ten, I’d give [the whole experience] a six,”

A view overlooking the dance floor during the homecoming dance. (Nyla Kerr)
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About the Contributors
Robin Smith
Robin Smith, Staff
Robin Smith is a junior at McIntosh High school and she is currently serving her second year on staff.  Smith has acquired Star rank in Scouts and was on the staff that acquired the trail SNO Distinguished site.  She is a varsity lacrosse goalie who tends to draw in her spare time. She tends to look into a lot of internet dramas, including many gaming communities.
Grace Lovejoy
Grace Lovejoy, Editor-in-Chief
Grace Lovejoy is serving as the Editor-In-Chief for the 2025-2026 school year. This year Lovejoy is a senior and this is her fourth year on the Trail staff. Last year, Lovejoy and other editors traveled to Philadelphia for the National Scholastic Press Association’s Fall Convention. Lovejoy has won 3 Best of SNO pieces, including her first piece “Collision course: teens and golf cart accidents in Peachtree City” which was the first for the Trail.  Lovejoy has been involved in theater for 3 years and has performed and worked backstage on numerous shows. This year she is serving as the Vice President of the Ambassadors club.  Lovejoy is eager to meet the new staff and have another successful year on the Trail.
Ashlee Lefever
Ashlee Lefever is a senior at McIntosh and is serving her first year on the Trail staff. Lefever was born in the garden state of New Jersey where she grew up with her Mom who loved novel series such as Harry Potter and Twilight creating her first interest in reading. Lefever works a full time job, however in her free time she enjoys naps with her cats, listening to music, and having chit-chats with her mom. She is currently reading The Road, by Cormac McCarthy for her AP Literature class. After graduating highschool, Lefever desires to achieve her Bachelor of Science in Nursing in order to qualify for a RN license.
Connor Lafontant
Connor Lafontant, Sports Editor
Connor Lafontant is a Junior at McIntosh, in his third year on the Trail staff, which earned a Distinguished Site Badge for the second consecutive time. He covers sports and international stories. A multi-sport athlete, Connor runs track, wrestles, and played soccer in Peachtree City. He also played trombone for three years and is on the honor roll. Outside school, he’s a student pilot at Horizon Aviation, aiming for a career in airlines. Connor volunteers at homeless shelters, providing over 14,000 pounds of food and essentials, and helped distribute COVID vaccines to over 1,000 people. He enjoys traveling and working out, but values helping others most.
Holly Rife
Holly Rife, Staff
Holly Rife is senior at McIntosh and her first year on the Trail Staff. Rife enjoys playing sports and being with the people she loves. Rife is returning to Mcintosh as a senior, from transferring her sophomore year. Rife has attended multiple different schools, while also discovering her tact for public speaking, as she was the face of her grade at Landmark Christian school, with reciting poetry.  As she was forced to give up her role as one of the cheerleading team captains at Trinity Christian School. Along with other interests, Rife has interned with different event planners, while deciding which path she wants to pursue. “ I am so thankful to be able to be a part of The Trail for my final year as a Mcintosh student,” 
Jozlynn Smith
Jozlynn Smith, Staff
Smith is a two year veteran on the McIntosh Trail. She is a sophomore  and is also serving her first year on the McIntosh varsity cheer squad. She wants to focus on getting the truth out for others to read and relate to. Smith wants her stories to give people the enlightenment of their peers, and give people the spotlight they deserve. Smith believes that everyone is a story. In 2023, Smith joined an international writing competition and came in the top 10 of all the people in her state. She wrote an outstanding essay, giving an insight of the book she was assigned. Placing in the top 10 in her state, Smith received an award that is hung up where everyone can see at her grandparents house. Smith has recently received a Best of SNO for her story Deer Season.  Smith is very passionate about writing and doing things she loves. She hopes to bring joy to her readers and write stories that inspire everyone.
CJ Boxhill
CJ Boxhill, Multimedia
 CJ Boxhill is serving as Team Multimedia for the 2025-2026 school year. Boxhill has now been on staff for two years and served as Team Multimedia for the 2024-2025 school year as well. Boxhill won a Best of SNO award last year for his podcast Red Blue and A Lot To Do with co-host Ava Flores which was the first multimedia best of sno for trail. Boxhill was also a part of the team that won Distinguished SNO site last year. Boxhill has also won a superior award alongside his peers for their staff editorial at GSPA. Boxhill is a current member of the Spirit of Mcintosh Marching Band, he serves a leadership role as percussion leader in the band. He also served as the Vice President of the Skills USA club. Boxhill has won two Rookie Of The Year awards and also two Student Choice awards. Boxhill made silver academic recognition these past two years. He is also a Mcintosh ambassador. Boxhill is also involved in the Tech crew for Mcintosh Theater. Boxhill has been working at Carrabba’s Italian Grill for the past seven months and serves as a certified trainer there. When Boxhill is not working or at school he enjoys playing video games, hanging out with his friends, or learning new music. Boxhill is very interested in politics and law. Boxhill is the last of his family to attend McIntosh High School, his sister Davian and Cousins Katrina and Chris have all attended McIntosh. One of his biggest goals in life is to be elected as a future President of the United States. Boxhill is excited for the upcoming year and working with new faces.
Anthony Capobianco
Anthony Capobianco, A&E Editor
Anthony Capobianco is serving his third year on staff as the A&E Editor. Capobianco likes to create films, or videos about real life or fiction. He mainly specializes in the editing and brainstorming of them. He likes to create films and videos to express himself in his favorite way possible.  Capobianco also likes to write articles, music and stories. He’s been writing for a large portion of his life and is excited to keep going for the Trail. He likes to write to bring light or awareness about issues that either are not talked about enough or are “taboo” subjects.  Capobianco plans on making high quality multimedia projects and reviews for the Trail. He hopes that The Trail can get all the SNO badges and have another successful year.
Cari Heinonen
Cari Heinonen, Staff
Cari Heinonen is a sophomore at McIntosh and this is her second year on the Trail Staff. She plans to focus on photography and writing. Heinonen enjoys listening to music and writing poetry in her free time. Heinonen is a part of the Fashion Club, Animal Care Organization, HOSA, and the Envirothon. Heinonen also holds a job at Chic-Fil-A.
Camilla O’Connell
Camilla O’Connell, Photo Editor
Camilla O’Connell is a senior at McIntosh. This is her first year on the Trail, though she is a four year editor of the Legend Yearbook and is their Photo Editor for the 2025 book.  O’Connell spent a week of her summer as a National Youth Correspondent representing Georgia at the Washington Journalism and Media Conference, in Washington DC, where she met many working journalists and learned how to write in Smart Brevity.  O’Connell has won three All-Georgia awards for her storytelling and photography, one superior award in portrait photography and was the first place winner for the Georgia Scholastic Press Association’s 2023 on the spot photo contest. She has also won the Laws of Life essay contest twice. Her work has been published in local news sites. Fun fact she fought the Citizen and won because they used one of her photos without her permission or giving her credit. She has photographed every home football game in her high school career.  Outside of journalism O’Connell is the President of the Knitting and Crochet club, is in Beta club, Key club, We the People, Chorus, Advanced Drama, the English National Honors Society and the National Honor Society.  When she’s not doing something on campus she can be found at the pool as a head lifeguard, on the rink playing hockey, making content for Joestens as one of their Ambassadors or hanging out with friends.  “Though I love photography, my favorite part of journaling is getting to interview and hear people’s stories and being a microphone to share them.”
Nyla Kërr
Nyla Kërr, News Editor
News Editor, Kërr is spending her third year on the McIntosh Trail. Kërr has always been passionate about writing and has been honing her craft for the past seven years. In her first year on the Trail, she earned a Superior rating on two of her articles at the Georgia Scholastic Press Association. She was a member of the first Trail staff to win a School Newspapers Online (SNO) Distinguished Site award in the 2023-2024 school year. The Trail won its second SNO Distinguished Site award in the 2024-2025 school year. Kërr has also contributed to award-winning journalistic pieces such as the house editorial “The Possibility is Never Zero”, which won a Best of SNO and an All-Georgia at the 2025 Georgia Scholastic Press Association spring convention. Additionally, Kërr has been recognized for high honor roll and has received academic awards for outstanding achievement in biology, anatomy and English. She has also been awarded the President’s Award for Educational Excellence.  When she is not buried deep in her classwork, Kërr enjoys spending time with her family, playing the guitar and doing calisthenics. 
Maddie Hines
Maddie Hines, Social Media
Hines is a Senior at McIntosh and this is her third year on staff on the Trail. This year she serves as the Social Media Manager as well as her continuation on Team Multimedia.  In her freshman year, she was Vice President of her class. Hines is currently a McIntosh Ambassador and has also done debate at the state level. Hines is interested in things like creative writing, film and law. In fact, from 2017-2019, she spent three weeks of each summer staying on campus at Emory University for this summer program called SIG (Summer Institute for the Gifted.) There she took classes like song writing, filming, working a camera, creative writing, things of that nature. At Emory, she was able to see what life would be like as a college student. She hopes to obtain some degree in law as well as journalism in the future. In the 2024-2025 school year, Hines was awarded Superior at the GSPA Spring 2025 Convention for her podcast episode “Putting the U in HBCU” where she talks about historically Black Colleges/Universities During her free time, she likes to play volleyball, bake, watch movies, and spend time with friends and family. Because she is new on staff, she hopes to learn new things and new life skills such as responsibility, punctuality and reliability.
Betty Jane Plitt
Betty Jane Plitt, Photo Editor
Betty Jane Plitt is currently a sophomore at McIntosh and is serving her second year on the Trail as photo editor. Plitt often spends her free time hanging out with her friends, doing homework, or getting matcha. She also enjoys crocheting and reading as hobbies. Plitt is also a music enthusiast, tuning in to Laufey, Faye Webster, and Clairo most often.  Plitt also enjoys volunteering at places such as the Midwest Food Bank or Royal Animal Refuge. Although when she gets a chance away from her usual activities, Plitt is also part of colorguard in the McIntosh Marching Band. She currently spins both flag and rifle. Plitt took part in the New Voices Student Leaders Institute this past summer, where she learned all about the New Voices bill and started advocating to get it passed in Georgia. She and two other journalists from Georgia are working on contacting legislators to introduce the bill. As a member of the Trail, Plitt hopes to expand her knowledge on writing, on-site journaling and meeting deadlines.
Rhyan Murphy
Rhyan Murphy, Staff
Rhyan Murphy is a sophomore, having just this year joined the McIntosh Trail as a rookie.  Murphy is the daughter of a Marine veteran. She has a current, and everlasting hobby of drawing, learning to do so for nine years. She also takes interest in general design.
Allie Hartman
Allie Hartman, Interactive Design Editor
Allie Hartman is a sophomore at McIntosh and this is her second year on the Trail Staff. Hartman enjoys reading and writing. In addition, she was on the McIntosh JV girls tennis team. Outside of school, Hartman likes playing tennis with her sister and hanging out with her friends. As a part of the 2025-2026 Trail staff, Hartman hopes to focus on creating truthful and interesting stories.
Jayden Wadlington
Jayden Wadlington is a senior at McIntosh and this is her first year on the Trail Staff. While on staff she hopes to presume multimedia.  Wadlington is going into her fourth year in The Spirit of McIntosh marching band. She has participated in The Black Student Union, The Unity Club, Sources of Strength and Knitting and Crochet Club. Her favorite subject in school is Government because she enjoys learning about politics.  Outside of school Wadlington enjoys reading, hanging out with friends, working and keeping herself informed on politics and what goes on around the world. After high school Wadlington wants to go to flight school to become a flight attendant. 
Ryan LeVan
Ryan LeVan, Multimedia
Ryan LeVan is a Junior at McIntosh and a  is serving his second year on staff. LeVan is very passionate about things such as family, friends, pets and fitness. LeVan’s specialty lies in photography, holds a GSPA superior rating and has extensive experience in nature and sky photography and videography.  LeVan is on the McIntosh wrestling team and an advocate for personal fitness and training. He also is a Life Scout in Scouts BSA and is currently working on his eagle project. LeVan has won multiple awards in scouting.  LeVan’s ambitions for the future include attending “ICE Culinary School” and obtaining a Masters Degree in business to ideally open and run his personal restaurant. LeVan is excited to have the opportunity to succeed in The Trail as a Multimedia Staffer and to help teach any less experienced staffers how to be successful in journalism and more specifically photography.
Yasemin Kalpakci
Yasemin Kalpakci, Features Editor
Yasemin Kalpakci is a senior at McIntosh High School and currently serves as the Features Editor for the McIntosh Trail. She joined the Trail staff in early 2024 and was part of the staff that won the SNO Distinguished Site Award in both the 2023-2024 and 2024-2025 school years.  In addition to her journalism accomplishments, Kalpakci has also achieved success in other areas. She won a nation-wide best of SNO award for her story, “McIntosh honors Vinny, the service dog of teacher and veteran Christopher Judy.” Kalpakci also won an All-Georgia award for her Critical Review, “Opinion: ‘I was a bad girl’ but was she?” and a Superior in Health/Medical Reporting with, “SOS: ending the stigma around finding help.” In addition to her journalism accomplishments, Kalpakci has also achieved success in other areas. Her art has been published on the board of education in the 2023-2024 school year.  Kalpakci has been involved in the Beta Club since elementary school and is an active volunteer at animal shelters and various school activities. She was instrumental in creating her old school’s World Food Club, promoting cultural exchange through food.  Outside of school, Kalpakci enjoys listening to Lana Del Rey, reading AO3, binge-watching Gilmore Girls, and spending hours on Pinterest. Like many high school students, she’s uncertain about her future plans but hopes to figure it out soon.
Ellie Shelton
Ellie Shelton, Stringer
Ellie Shelton is a Senior at McIntosh and this is her first year on the Trail Staff. She decided to join after discovering the site and seeing how students were free to express themselves there. Shelton is interested in writing about politics, feminism and philosophy.  During her many years of taking Spanish classes in school, she has competed in and won poetry declamation contests at Clemson University, winning first place last year for her performance. Along with Spanish, her other passions are classic literature and computer science. She especially seeks out problem-solving because it gives her a sense of accomplishment and helps her stay determined.  Shelton is spending her last year of school on the varsity Quiz Bowl team and working at the daycare Royal Learners. Outside of school and work, she spends her time reading and finding out new things.  “There are so many things to find out about this world. Be curious. Seek out knowledge and you will find it.”
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