Getting Ready for Homecoming Week
It is around that time that many students have been waiting for since the beginning of the school year. You guessed it, Homecoming! This is the time where girls are going shopping for dresses and making their hair appointments, and the guys are getting their tuxes and preparing for the big game; however, there is much more to homecoming than a football game and a dance. The class councils and student council are already starting to meet to discuss their plans for the week including what the days of spirit week will be. During spirit week, many school events take place to get the students pumped for Friday’s game.
For spirit week, student council picks themes for each day and students can dress up, have fun, and get excited for the big game on Friday. The week starts on Monday, September 26. This year, themes include: dress up day (Monday), pajama day (Tuesday), Hawaiian day (Wednesday), decade day (Thursday), and black and gold/homecoming shirt day (Friday).
Junior Shawn Falstrom said, “I’m so ready to wear my Hawaiian shirt on Wednesday for spirit week! The homecoming dance is going to be awesome this year! Also, I’m going to be looking extremely handsome so if anyone needs any tips, hit me up.”
Before Friday’s game, the girls have to have their own game! Griffith’s third annual powderpuff game will take place the Wednesday of spirit week, September 28, at 7:30 p.m. At the game, the junior and senior girls get to butt heads in a friendly, but competitive, game of powderpuff. The girls are coached by the junior and senior football players. The boys who do not want to coach or who are not on the football team can be the cheerleaders for their class.
On Friday, the homecoming parade will be at four and will go down Broad Street and Pine Street. In the parade you will see many clubs walking and you will see all of the class floats. Every year, each class makes a float for the homecoming parade and their float is judged. The judges have to pick which class’s float they like the best.
You can also see the nominees for homecoming king and queen in the parade. This year the nominees for homecoming queen are Dana Jelenski, Rachel Kruhaj, Megan Miller, Breanna Hamilton, and Raquel Renton. The nominees for king are Al Ervin, Keith Hernandez Tray Boone, Alec Seberger, and Josh Miller.
Once the parade is over, it is time to start getting ready for their game. Griffith will be playing against Highland at 7 pm. After the game, the fun won’t be over just yet. Saturday is the dance which has been themed “Alice in Wonderland” by student council. I think it’s safe to say that Griffith High is ready for homecoming. The question is: are you?
Student Spotlight: Lilyana Salazar
Senior Lilyana Salazar is someone you think of when you think of someone who is hardworking, dedicated, and goal-driven. Salazar participates in whatever she can and soccer is just one out of the many activities that she does.
Salazar has been playing soccer since she was seven years old. She plays left forward and she has been on the high school’s varsity team since she was a sophomore. Soccer isn't her only sport; she also plays basketball. Salazar started playing basketball in the fifth grade. She took a break from the sport her freshman year, but rejoined as a point guard her sophomore year and was one of the captains her junior year.
She does much more than participate in sports,though. She is also an active member for many clubs including: FCCLA, paranormal society, National Honors Society, booster club, student council, best buddies, international club, class council, and the high school yearbook.
Are you impressed, yet? Well, if you're not, there’s much more. On top of everything, she finds time for a job and time to volunteer at places around town to help out the Griffith community. On top of that, she also manages she balance school work. Salazar is an honors student and is enrolled in many AP courses; she is currently ranked in the top ten of her class.
Salazar plans to graduate with her honors diploma and attend college next fall. Salazar would like to attend Purdue Lafayette to become a veterinarian.
“It feels really bitter sweet to be in my senior year of high school and to be leaving Griffith soon, but at the same time I’m really excited to see what the future holds for me. I have my mind set on becoming successful and I hope I am able to do that,” said Salazar.