By L. Parsons Homecoming is a big part of any high school experience and in Winslow, this tradition has long brought together the community. This year, despite being in the midst of a pandemic, organizers wanted to make sure that tradition continued. The results were impressive and the community once again rallied around their beloved Bulldogs. The theme of homecoming this year was “Through the Decades.” This meant a look back at homecoming celebrations from years gone by. Throughout the week, students, staff and Bulldog supporters were asked to dress in fun costumes to represent different decades of WHS. Greasers, Saturday Night Fever and 90s Grunge were categories each day and the week culminated with an extreme school colors day in support of the sports teams playing in their homecoming match-ups. Organizers asked for WHS alumni to contribute photos and memories of their experience at Winslow schools. Photos from the 1960s, 1980s, 1990s, 2000s and more were posted on the Winslow High School Facebook page, which began conversations between alumni online. Then, those photos were blown up and displayed along a ‘reverse parade’ route along Colorado Avenue. There, the spirit line and marching band performed for community members to drive past. Royalty candidates and dedicatees were set up along the avenue as well and waved as nearly 150 cars cruised by with their windows open and their horns honking, showing Bulldog spirit the entire time. Spirit line coach and one of the organizers of the event Nicole Guzman said, “With everything going on, we felt it was especially important this year to give our seniors a homecoming to remember. The Spirit Cruise was amazing. The kids were able to physically distance, we all wore masks and the community showed tremendous support for WHS!” Guzman explained that though things were different, and the health and safety of the students and community were top priority, homecoming still happened. “I really loved it even though it was different not to have the huge community pep rally. Who knows, just maybe a new tradition was born of this.” Winslow High School physical education teacher and homecoming planning committee member Lani Leonard agreed. “It was a tricky year for planning, but everyone was on board and helped to make it memorable. The community really showed up for the students.” Following the Spirit Cruise, the community was invited to the drive-in theater on Maple Street to watch a video version of the traditional homecoming assembly. This year was different as it did not feature the same interactive pep rally mentioned by Guzman. However, she said, “The video version was awesome and it was so nice to see Bulldogs from all different decades share the bond of Bulldog pride.” The drive-in can hold 120 cars and it was full to capacity for the assembly. Royalty candidates were announced and featured in the video. The candidates announced were Jaylynn Edgewater, daughter of Antoinette Jimmie and Gregory Edgewater; Lindsey Becenti, daughter of Wilpnina and Bennie Becenti; Alyssa Cordova, daughter of Richard and Senaida Cordova; Kendall Havlicek, daughter of Ken and Corri Havlicek; Sierra Singer, daughter of Sheri Yazzie and Albert Singer; Michael Dugger, son of Dale an Victoria Dugger; Noah Leonard, son of Richard and Audrey Leonard; Eleo Petet, son of Eleo Petet; Tyrell Young, son of Tim and Tanya Young; and Tysen Leonard, son of Eric and Lani Leonard. The king and queen were announced during the Friday night football game where the Bulldogs took on the Warriors from Ironwood. The game was attended by families of athletes but physical distancing was encouraged. It was also streamed free online at www.nfhsnetwork.com. Games held in the Petronovich Gym and at Emil Nasser Stadium will be free to stream all year thanks to donations from Handee Laundromat and Rayline Installations, Inc. Senior nights for fall sports were also held during homecoming week and those student athletes who have worked hard during their high school careers were honored. Athletes from cross country, volleyball, football and the spirit line as well as the members of the marching band were featured in the video assembly. Leonard said, “The city was a huge help in orchestrating the technical parts of the video and the traffic, so we would like to thank them. Also, the spiritline made amazing decorations and we even had a school board member playing in the band and parking cars at the drive-in. It truly was a group effort.” She concluded, “My favorite part was just seeing the students participating again. I didn’t realize how much I had missed my favorite part of WHS, the school spirit. There is just something about hearing Horse and Victory played by the marching band that brings us all together as a community and makes us proud to be Bulldogs!”
