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