While it couldn’t be verified as of press time, this may very well be the first time that Huntingdon High School has conducted football homecoming celebrations when no game was actually played.
The Mustangs’ scheduled Friday night homecoming bout with the Camden Lions was cancelled due to COVID issues with Camden’s team, but that didn’t stop the Blue and Gold from getting in the homecoming spirit.
HHS students and faculty concluded a week of homecoming activities on Friday with the traditional parade and pep rally on the court square.
But this year, they added the recognition of the homecoming court and crowning of the queen (which is typically done at halftime of the game) to the festivities on the square.
Senior Lindsey Sanders was crowned as homecoming queen by AB Club president Natalie Taylor and presented with flowers by AB Club vice-president Matti-Claire Roberts.
The daughter of John and Kim Sanders, Lindsey is a three-year player on both the Fillies basketball and softball teams and a two year member of the cross country team. She is also a member of HOSA (two years), AB Club (four years), Beta Club (four years), FCS (four years), and Mayor’s Teen Advisory Council (four years), and she serves as senior class secretary and is among HHS students to score 21 or higher on the ACT.
Lindsey was escorted by Jeb Atkinson, son of Jacky and Dixie Atkinson.
Other members of the homecoming court and their escorts included:
•Senior Rep. Abby Lewis, daughter of Mark and Kristy Lewis, escorted by Brayden Bales, son of Michael and Kimberly Bales.
•Junior Rep. Sadie Shands, daughter of Roger and Tina Shands, escorted by Seth Ricketts, son of Bud and Tanya Ricketts.
•Junior Rep. Lia Fuller, daughter of Jody and Amy Fuller, escorted by Keller Smith, son of Scott and Shawna Smith.
•Sophomore Rep. L.G. Parish, daughter of Tim and Dana Parish, escorted by Rayshaun Bailey, son of Ray and Kendra Bailey.
•Sophomore Rep. Madison Mann, daughter of Ryan Mann and Jacqualyn Ramsey, escorted by Talon Warmon, son of Patrick and Dana Warman.
•Freshman Rep. Madeline Mitchell, daughter of Chris and Anna Mitchell, escorted by Jordan Willis, son of Dan and Brenda Willis.
•Freshman Rep. Claire Cary, daughter of Mike and Susan Cary, escorted by Jace Crossett, son of Jimmy and Paula Crossett.
In addition to homecoming queen, Lindsey was named as Ms. HHS, while senior Matthew Pelonero, son of Matt and Monica Pelonero, was picked as Mr. HHS. Matt is a four-year football player.
Other nominees for Mr. HHS included Blane Fields, Aden Hutcherson, Blake Reeves, and Cade Wood; and other Ms. HHS nominees were Kaylan Belew, Rylee Holladay, Abby Lewis, and Madison Noonan.
In the homecoming float competition, the junior class won the Overall Best Float and Most Beautiful awards with their “Mustangs Rise Above the Lions” float. The seniors won Most Creative for their “Flatten the Lions” float. Most School Spirit went to the sophomores for their “Slay the Lions” float, and the freshmen class’s “Roast’em” float won Most Original.
BEST FLOAT – The HHS junior class won Best Overall and Most Beautiful for their “Mustangs Rise Above the Lions” float.
MOST CREATIVE – The HHS senior class won Most Creative for their “Flatten the Lions” float.
MOST SCHOOL SPIRIT – The HHS sophomore class won Most School Spirit for their “Slay the Lions” float.
MOST ORIGINAL – The HHS freshman class won Most Original for their “Roast’em” float.
