Homecoming 2007: A huge sucess, dedicated to school spirit and athletic appreciation
posted: September 26,2007

Homecoming 2007 will be a week to remember for many Red Cloud students. It was a week dedicated to school spirit and athlete appreciation. Homecoming week is an age old tradition honored by Red Cloud students, parents, faculty and alumni every year. The week itself gives Red Cloud enthusiasts a chance to represent their Crusader Pride. The chosen theme for homecoming this year was “Be true to Blue”.

This year’s homecoming events were planned by the High School Student Council and the Student Activities Director, Emily Fischer. It was a series of events that sparked great pride and reminded everyone at Red Cloud why we love our school.

Monday, September 17, 2007 was the first day of the week long festivities. Although it seemed like any other day, students paraded the school in their pajamas; for it was Pajama Day. Pajama Day is one of five “dress up days” designated by the student council. The special dress days give students a chance to come together and dress in a similar style in hopes of keeping the Homecoming Sprit lasting all week. Every day a winner was picked and Monday’s Pajama Day Winners were Juliana Brown Eyes and Christiana New Holy.

Finalization of ballets and voting for homecoming Court also took place Monday during Study Hall. Students got a chance to vote on eight candidates from each of their respected classes. The candidates were nominated the week prior by their classmates.

At the end of the day, students along with a few staff members congregated in order to gather wood for the bonfire which would take place later in the week.

Monday was the beginning of sports recognition week as the Junior Varsity football team went heads up against Chadron. Although the Junior Varsity did not bring home a win, they still kept their spirits high.

The golf team took part in the Regional Golf Tournament in Hot Springs, SD. The team did a great job representing Red Cloud High School. as two students qualified for the State Golf Tournament. “The best part about homecoming was when Montana and I qualified for state,” was said by golfer Mike Twiss.

Mike Twiss along with teammate Montana Sierra will represent Red Cloud later this month at Milbank, SD.

Tuesday was the start of another day as students paired up and dressed like one another. This day was dedicated as “Twins Day”. Various students picked a friend or family member to dress like as they did their best to look like twins. The winners of the Twins Day contest were Shelby McGhee and Chantel Swallow.

Tuesday was also another competitive day for Red Cloud as the volleyball team went to Edgemont. The Junior Varsity and Varsity volleyball teams both brought home wins.

Wednesday was yet another high spirited for the Crusaders as students dressed in their “crazy outfits”. The halls were one colorful scene as the students wore mismatched outfits, crazy hats and other “crazy” pieces of clothing. The winners of “Crazy Outfit Day” were Jacey Twiss and Juliana Brown Eyes.

Not only was this a good day for clothing, it was a good day to take part in the hallway decorating contest between classes. Each class decorated their lockers and hallway in “true blue colors” as the hallways would later be judged by faculty members.

Another school day ended as usual but the night had only begun. It was bonfire time! The night started with a beautiful display of fireworks provided by Rusty Merdanian and music provided by Delane Has No Horse.

Music blared and students screamed with pride as the bonfire was lit by the Pine Ridge Fire Department. Student Body President, Ken Franks Jr. began the bonfire activities by leading his fellow students in class chants and cheers. He was then followed by Coach Keith Ferguson and his enthusiastic football team as they proclaimed their territory and spoke of a blowout for the opposition.

After all the chants and cheers were over, the Mahpiya Luta Drum Group, headed by Charles Eagle Hawk, led everyone in a Lakota Victory song. Then the night ended with sweet dreams of victory.

Thursday was the day to dress like your favorite staff member. It would be a day to remember as students left behind their usual wear to dress “Old School” as they would call it. The winners of the Faculty-Look-A-Like day were Ethleen Cournoyer and John Richards.

It was a day like any other as students continued to decorate halls. Blue and White decorations filled the school as students showed their school spirit. The volleyball team would also enjoy this day as they defeated Little Wound in yet another match.

“Finally Friday” students would say as this was the most anticipated day yet. Today they would dress in their best. It was “Blue and White Day”! The Crusaders represented their colors with pride as they begun the day by decorating their class floats for the homecoming parade.

The parade began as each class showed off their float. Candy was thrown to the elementary and middle school students as the various high school classes would chant their class motto. There was also a few special appearances, such as the Red Cloud Dance Club, Resource Officer Ken Bordeaux and Miss White Shields’ 2 nd grade class who would be cheering their class motto as well-”Second Grade Salamanders!”

After the parade ended, the students congregated to the little gym where the talent show would take place.

The talent show would be a big hit. Tiana Spotted Thunder beautifully sang “My Heart Will Go On”. Lariah High Hawk gave the crowd a nice tune of “Wide Open Spaces”. Vonna Blacksmith, Dakota Mesteth and Delores Pocheco joined together in a trio to sing “Crazy” by Northern Cree. The Varsity Volleyball team would enlightened everyone with a dance routine and Matt Rama and his Vatos would win the crowd over with their lip sync to “Hey, Baby, Que Paso?!” The first place winners of the talent show would be Vonna, Dakota and Delores with their song by Northern Cree. The second place winner was Tiana Spotted Thunder and third place went to the Varsity Volleyball team.

After the announcement of the talent show winners, the candidates for homecoming court made their way into the gym for it was time to announce the “ 2007 Homecoming Court”. The freshmen named James Pine as their prince and DeAndra McLaughlin as their princess. The sophomores would choose Jeremy Blacksmith and Laree Pourier. The Juniors chose Juliana Brown Eyes and Daniel Hudspeth for their class homecoming royalty. The entire school chose Ida Clarke and Casey Zimiga as their Homecoming Queen and King. Ida would later comment, “I didn’t expect to be voted on as Homecoming Queen. I thought it was a great honor and I’d like to say “Thank You, It really means a lot” to all those who voted for me!”

Students were then told to go to their classes for attendance. After attendance was taken, the students and staff reported to Field House for the traditional homecoming pep-rally. Cheers were done by the each class as the seniors showed off their “puppies” in the senior dog show. Freshmen were told to complete various tricks for the audience as they chose a winner. The winner of the dog show was Ken Frank Jr. with his most obedient puppy, Bobby Hernandez.

A special honoring was then done for Desiree Blacksmith and Saige Pourier for their participation on three varsity teams that qualified for state last year. Another honoring was done for Mike Twiss and Montana Sierra for their achievements in golf.

The pep-rally went on with cheers from the volleyball team and a stomp routine from the cheerleaders. Coaches were pied and everyone enjoyed the show.

After all the hoots and hollers were over, the football team once again took over the mic and began to tell their predictions for victory.

The pep-rally went on as Activities Director, Emily Fischer, announced the winners for “Blue-N-White Day”, hall decorating contest and the senior fundraiser. The winners of the “Blue-N-White Day” were Tess Knight and Brian Beetem. The winners of the hallway decorating contest were of course the seniors with their well emphasized Crusader spirit. The winner of the senior fundraiser was the teacher with the most money in her jar- Ms. Elisabeth Ellington. So the pep-rally ended with a nice big kiss to a goat by Ms. Ellington.

Then it was time for the much anticipated football game. The players waited all year for this game and they couldn’t have had it any better. Red Cloud was victorious over Cheyenne-Eagle Butte 52-6.

Homecoming week ended with usual homecoming dance. As friends, classmates and even sweethearts danced the night away.

It was a long week of fun, cheers, games and activities that students at Red Cloud High School always remember.