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MORRIS – Homecoming week at Morris Community High School is a day shorter because of Columbus Day, but it’s packed full of spirit – or perhaps spirits – with this year’s theme, “A Haunted Homecoming.”
The week is filled with fun dress-up days, such as pajama day, Halloween costume day, and spirit day, as well as activities such as dodge ball, powderpuff football and trick or treating in the hallway.
“Kids love homecoming week. There are more kids in costume than I thought possible,” teacher and homecoming sponsor Barb Rath said Wednesday.
Students could trick or treat in the hallway, gathering candy from teachers and staff between some periods if they came in costume.
On Wednesday morning, the school held a costume contest, and Jordan Cardwell won first place for her “Zipper Girl” portrayal.
“I love special effects,” Cardwell said. “I always do zombie-type makeup for Halloween.”
She said she has worked on the effect she created – making her face appear to be zipped open to bloody flesh – for several years. She was happy to win first place.
Aerial Robinson won second place for her costume “Formal Apology,” dressing in formal attire and carrying a sign that read, “I’m sorry.” Third place went to Griffin Sobol and Justin McTeague for their portrayal of a police officer and prisoner.
Homecoming court
Jake Walker and Monica Davy were named this year’s homecoming king and queen, elected by the student body.
“Seniors nominate up to three boys and three girls. We took the top 15 and put them to an all-school vote,” Rath said.
Davy said she was surprised when she heard her name called.
“My first reaction was ‘Wait, I’m Monica Davy, that’s me!’ I couldn’t believe it,” Davy said.
She said it means a lot that her class supports her and she’s honored to have been chosen.
Walker said he was shocked and had no idea he would win.
“It’s really special having watched the previous years and now I’m part of it with all my friends,” he said.
He joked he hoped the coronation wouldn’t make him a bigger target on the homecoming football field Friday night. Not only was he named king, he’s also one of the Redskins football captains.
For Davy, knowing other students look up to the king and queen means a lot to her.
“The idea that the students who voted for me see me as a good leader, that’s important because that is what I try to be,” she said.
The homecoming game is scheduled for Friday night against Sycamore, with the sophomore team playing at 5:15 p.m. and the varsity team playing at 7:15 p.m.
The homecoming dance is Saturday night in the Morris Community High School gym.
The Homecoming King and Queen candidates were:
Queen Candidate Taylor Cole, daughter of Shelley and Shane Cole, and King Candidate Jacob Walker, son of Beth and Mark Walker.
Queen Candidate Peighton Shannon, daughter of Tricia Shannon, and King Candidate Thomas Cheshareck, son of Kathy and Bill Cheshareck.
Queen Candidate Monica Davy, daughter of Sarah and Eric Davy, and King Candidate Griffin Sobol, son of Laurie and Sheldon Sobol.
Queen Candidate Sarah Roth, daughter of Mary and John Roth, and King Candidate Austin Allbert, son of Jeanette and Monty Allbert.
Queen Candidate Katherine Gallick, daughter of Georgette and Ed Gallick, and King Candidate Matt Feiden, son of Jennifer and Paul Feiden.
Queen Candidate Leah Lines, daughter of Joan and Greg Lines, and King Candidate Robert Meucci, son of Karen and Dean Meucci.