Homecoming queen nominees and their escorts raced to the finish line in an obstacle course set up in the main commons during lunch today. Students watched as members of the court ran the course during B lunch.

“We had to sit on scooters and then scoot our way along around cones,” senior homecoming queen nominee Megan Kelly said. “Then, at a certain point, [we had to] jump over a bench and tag our escort, and then they crawled to the end.”

The end of the race consisted of the nominees and their escorts carrying a basketball to the finish together. These games take place each day this week in order to let students see and cheer for the homecoming nominees. It is also a way to show school spirit, much like the theme days. Each day has a theme for students to participate in and today, Wednesday, was camouflage day.

“I’ve just kind of been looking around today and yesterday and it’s great to see so many people participating in the theme days,” senior Jack Schimpf, student council president, said. “Today on camo day, either throwing on a camo shirt, or there’s even people that brought their camo tents and set them up in the hallways … it makes me really happy to see everyone getting involved and everyone getting into it.”

Candidates showed their school spirit by dressing the theme with their escorts. Kelly and her escort, Nick Hainsworth, showed their spirit by dressing as a hunter and a greyhound hunting dog. The other nominees also showed their spirit by dressing the theme with their escorts. Along with traditional games and themes, this week’s homecoming inducted a new activity.

“My favorite activity so far would probably be the Bruin Block fashion show yesterday,” Schimpf said. “First time it ever happened. I thought it went really well.”

This year, underclassmen put on the fashion show as part of their Bruin Blocks and the homecoming nominees judged the underclassmen participants. A second Bruin Block fashion show will take place tomorrow during B lunch in the auxiliary gym. On Friday, the lunchtime festivities come to a close with a school-wide assembly at which the homecoming candidates and their escorts will be introduced before the winner is elected and announced at the homecoming football game.
“[Homecoming activities are] so fun.” Kelly said. “The dance one was more awkward than I anticipated but everything else has been so fun … I love it.”
By Sophie Whyte