BY: TIERNEY DENNISON & TESS KLAMMER
Homecoming week is a week that students and faculty look forward to every year at Providence Academy. This year was said to be the best homecoming in planning and execution according to many sources. Anni Harberts Ott, ‘24, declared “It was more organized and there was better communication with guidelines and themes!”
Homecoming week kicked off with students showing off their school spirit with spirit wear. Muffins were handed out in the atrium that morning, as part of “Muffin Monday.”
On Tuesday, lion stickers were hidden throughout the school for students to find in order to win a prize. It was a close race, but in the end the sophomores edged out the seniors, winning cookies after school.
“There was more unity and participation between the grades,” observed Ott. This was also shown as the entire Upper School gathered together for Mass in the great room.
Wednesday’s theme of a “pink out” helped get the seniors pumped up for the Powderpuff game that day. The entire Upper School was decked out in various shades of pink and showed support for the seniors during their game against the juniors. The highly-anticipated annual Powderpuff game resulted in an amazing win for the seniors.
On Thursday, students went all out for the theme “Rhyme Without Reason,” for which students traditionally pair up and dress up in a rhyme together. Upper School Director, Mr. Kurt Jaeger, noted that it was his favorite theme during the week.
“It was specifically great seeing more than two people per group,” he stated. Jaeger said that he was very impressed with how the student body embraced this theme and made the most out of it.
On Friday, students once again wore full Lion pride, wearing spirit wear that was white and gold in preparation for the game. That afternoon, the whole school gathered in the gym for the annual pep fest. The pep fest closed out the week with a bang; games such as tug-of-war and musical chairs brought lots of excitement to the crowd. The pep-band also made an appearance, which encouraged school spirit.
“The pep band was great,” said Gabby Rampetsreiter, ‘24. “I really liked their performance.”
After school, students were also encouraged to make cards for Letters of Love, a non-profit that makes cards for sick children in hospitals. The PA chapter of the organization also had the opportunity to meet Grace Berbig, the president of the Letters of Love Foundation.
Friday night was an exciting Homecoming football game but unfortunately the Lions fell to Mound-Westonka by 2 points. The game, however, did bring some outstanding performances.
“After his best friend Nick Toma got hurt, Max Klassen went out on that field and scored four touchdowns,” exclaimed Miles Mueller, ‘24.
All of these events led to the biggest event of the week: the homecoming dance. Although the weather didn’t hold up, the rainfall added to the jungle theme of the dance.
Mueller reflected on the dance saying, “The decorations and atmosphere, along with the music and all the attire made the rainy day seem bright!”
Jaeger commented on how impressed he was with the turnout of the homecoming dance. He commented, “For me, the highlight was having just under 300 students show up to the dance.”
The dance had the largest turnout in Providence Academy history. Jaeger expressed his pride in our student body by saying, “I loved seeing a culture of students that wanted to be here together on a Saturday night. Everyone really embraced it.” This culture carried through the night resulting in a sensational dance and concluded an exciting week.
Senior House Council Member, Sandra Alb, ‘24, described the sense of accomplishment she and the other House Leaders felt once the week concluded saying, “I think it was very satisfying to see all our visions become realized.”
PAW Feature Photo Credit: Leightyn Ferrell, ’24
