The Hope Pregnancy Center in Ontario will host its 26th annual Walk For Life fundraiser event at 11 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 29 at Ontario Lions Park. (Photo courtesy of The Hope Pregnancy Center)
VALE – The first week of school has come and gone, but students know the memories they make at Vale High School will last a lifetime. And homecoming, especially for the seniors, is a big part of that.
Last week, students, teachers, staff and parents banded together to put on a week of memory-making activities for all.
The festivities kicked off Monday, Sept. 10, with students going to class dressed as their favorite meme. That evening, boys and girls from each class level competed in a dodgeball tournament. There were some grievances among the classmates who lost, but no matter who won, good times reigned.
On the last day of homecoming, Friday, students enjoyed a variety of class competitions, including tug-of-war, slip-and-slide, farm games and karaoke.
After the round of games, students, faculty, staff and some parents gathered in the gymnasium for the homecoming assembly, where they were introduced to the 2018 homecoming court.
This year’s royalty included: Brooklyn Phillips, Baylee Tolman, Morgan Harrison, Kyla Wright, Sydnee Thomas, Gracee Jacobs, Trevor Romans, Beau Belnap, Clay Siddoway, Luis Diaz, Tanner Hamilton and Japheth Carlson.
The highlight of the assembly came when high school students and alumni honored 10 local farm and ranch families as part of this year’s “Wild Wild West” theme.
The group of agriculturalists were chosen by senior classmen, who recognized the honorees for their contributions to the community.
“The wild, wild west may bring images of the good ol’ days to most of us – visions of rodeo, dusty trails, some cute saloon girls, horses, cattle, a manly sheriff and strong traditions. To us, the seniors of 2019, it means more. It means our roots, our community and the farmers and ranchers that seem to continually amaze all of us with their dedication to their passion,” a senior student said before the presentation of the honorees.
They included: Steve Recla, Steve and Toby McBride, LeRoy and Mark McBride, Larry Standage, Pat Erstrom, Pat and Mike McGoway, Gary Komo and Rick Johnson.
Following the presentation of honorees, cross country coach Mary Chamberlain and football coach Jeff Aldred gave quick speeches offering kudos to their senior athletes.
The assembly wrapped up with the announcement of the class that had the most school spirit. Freshmen had the most school spirit, followed by the seniors, sophomores, and juniors.
Later in the day, students took to the streets to showcase their high school spirit during the annual homecoming parade, which started at the high school, looped through downtown and ended at the football field in time for the game.
Gracee Jacobs was crowned homecoming queen during halftime, and Tanner Hamilton was crowned king a day later at the high school dance.
Reporter Kristine de Leon: [email protected], 541-473-3377.