STORY BY SHYANN SCHUMACHER
PHOTOS BY JAYCEE DALE
Throughout the week of Sept. 22, students of Hays High and the community participated in many homecoming traditions, including float building, a bonfire, parade, and dance. The community of Hays gathers each year to partake in the traditions including the bonfire, parade and football game.
Each year the senior class nominates eight to ten candidates to run for homecoming king and queen. The male candidates this year were: Ben Boland, Thomas Brooks, Carson Ackerman, Derrick Aragon, and Nathan Erbert. The female candidates this year were Avery Jones, Cassidy Prough, Maddie Lohmeyer, Yesenia Maldonado and Madelyn Waddell. The king and queen are crowned each year during halftime of the home football game. Thomas Brooks and Madelyn Waddell were named the 2019 homecoming king and queen.
The community gathers to celebrate the students of Hays High at the bonfire that took place on Sept. 26. Each year Hays High sets 650 pallets ablaze as they celebrate the school spirit of the students. The marching band and cheerleaders perform following yard games played during the students’ class competitions.
On Sept. 27, students participated in the homecoming formal assembly. During this assembly, alumni and the student body are invited to celebrate the candidates as they are formally recognized for their achievement and involvement while at Hays High. Following this assembly, there was a parade that displayed the organization’s students are involved in and the floats they built throughout the week. Friday wrapped up with a home football game and the crowning of the homecoming king and queen.