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A homecoming unlike any other has made its mark in history this past week at NS. While many homecoming traditions happened as usual, there were activities that were taken away and new traditions added.
“We’ve tried to think of a whole ton of ideas,” said Student Body President Brady Jacobson, “and when some ideas were shut down, we came up with some fun things that people could still enjoy.”
The student leaders at NS had to find ways to have assemblies without a large group gathering. They overcame this obstacle by working with Centracom to live stream events, such as a donut eating contest and a game-show, to each advisory class at NS.
“Rickie and the SBO’s and the other class officers worked with Barett to do all of [the broadcasting] and get it planned,” said NS Vice Principal Natalie Stansfield. “Rickie had all the links for everyone, and I think it went really well.”
Students started this week of events with pajama day. The NS student body then voted for the 2020 Homecoming royalty. This year’s royalty is freshman attendant Abri Benson, sophomore attendant Phaedra Lamb, junior attendant Aubry Cook, and Homecoming Queen, senior Kylena Akuola.
Tacky-Tourist Tuesday hosted an advisory rock-paper-scissors competition as well as flex-time chalk art. Lady Hawks Tennis competed at Millard and came away with a win. Lady Hawks Soccer was at NS and beat Maeser Prep.
Camouflage took over NS hallways on Wednesday. Cross-country ran at Carbon and volleyball played Richfield. Following the win from volleyball, the annual Powerstuff boys’ volleyball game took place with the juniors and seniors beating the freshman and sophomores.
Thursday had NS going back in time for Retro day. A game show during advisory and street painting during flex time preceded the matches for tennis, volleyball, and soccer.
“We are trying to give people something to come together for,” Jacobson said.
Spirit day gave the students at NS a sense of unity. The day began with Senior Sunrise followed by a senior meeting. There was then a school-wide cakewalk where prizes such as free t-shirts, lanyards, and candy were given out.
After the cakewalk the students at NS joined together to clean up the school grounds through various service projects. The NS student body officers and student council then broadcast a pep assembly to the seventh period classes.
“I could not believe how many kids just dove in, grabbed their rakes, and then cleaned up all around,” Stansfield said.
Later that day, the homecoming parade marched down main street. The NS marching band, drill team, cheer team, wrestling team, girls soccer team, girls tennis team, and football team participated in the parade. Clubs such as FFA, LIA, and Drama also joined the parade.
“At first we were going to do a reverse parade,” Jacobson said, “but then we got the go from the health apartment to do a real parade”
The NS football team then played the Delta Rabbits. The Hawks had a close call but gave their school a win of 28-21. This was not without difficulty though, as several of their varsity players were injured during the game.
“It’s their last of everything, and it has been a weird year,” Stansfield said. “They are sad that it’s their last homecoming, they’re sad that some starters on their team are now hurt and won’t be able to play the rest of the season, there is just so much emotion that comes with that.”
The homecoming football game was then followed by a school-sponsored stomp. This dance also helps to support the NS Drill Team.
“I feel like the whole week went well, from it being thrown together so quickly and having to make so many changes,” Stansfield said. “The students here are troopers, they don’t grumble, they don’t complain, they just enjoy it.”
When NS was unable to host a date dance, three NS seniors put together their own homecoming date-dance. They had been planning this dance for several weeks and working with the Moroni City Mayor and following health code guidelines to have a safe, but fun dance.
“Being my senior year, I just really wanted to be super involved with school activities and it’s hard with Covid-19, so me and my friends planned it,” said one of the organizers of the dance, Morgan Drew.
As students entered the dance, their temperature was taken to help ensure everyone’s safety. Masks were also encouraged for the students to wear.
“I think the dance went so well,” Drew said. “Way more people than we planned for showed up and it seemed like everyone had a great time. I know I did!”
