Homecoming Week is an annual tradition at Craig High School.
This year’s celebration begins on Monday, Oct. 2, and concludes with a dance on Saturday, Oct. 7.
Homecoming “is a great week to show our school spirit, celebrate the great things our kids do, and have fun,” said assistant principal Shawn Kane.
It is a busy week of dress up days, hallway decorating, a parade, pep assembly, outdoor activities, sports, and a dance.
This year, the week will also include the Wisconsin Education Fair for seniors on Thursday, Oct. 5, and a senior class photo on Friday, Oct. 6.
“Buckle up,” Kane said as he previewed the scheduled events with staff during a meeting on Friday, Sept. 29.
Dress Up Days
Among the scheduled activities of Homecoming Week, the dress-up days and themes are perhaps the most anticipated and popular.
Monday’s theme is “Twin Day.” Students dress to match with a classmate or coordinate with a favorite staff member.
Tuesday is “Country vs. Country Club” and Wednesday is “Pink Out.”
Thursday is “Class Color Day.” Freshmen wear green, sophomores wear yellow, juniors wear red and seniors wear blue. Staff members will wear black.
Friday is Spirit Day. Students and staff will wear blue, red, and white or their Craig Cougar gear.
“Friday is a day to show your school spirit and Cougar pride by wearing school colors,” said Mr. Kane.
In keeping with tradition, seniors have their own dress up days. This year’s senior themes are Movie Star Monday, Toga Tuesday and Zoom Meeting Wednesday (business on top, casual on bottom)
Mr. Kane wants students to be aware of school rules and policies.
“Students are reminded that if they choose to participate, school dress code rules apply. Costumes must be respectful of all students. Students in non-compliance may be asked to change,” he said. “Noncompliance could include students creating their own dress-up days” that have not been pre-approved, he added.
Homecoming Court
On Wednesday in advisory, voting for Homecoming king and queen will take place.
Members of court were selected during a vote on Thursday, Sep. 28, and will be announced at the end of Friday’s pep assembly.
The winners of the title of King and Queen will also be announced at the assembly.
The Court will also be announced at the game, and the annual tradition of the “Burning of the J” will take place at halftime.
The Homecoming Court is made up of seniors who are members of various teams and clubs. This year’s Court and the organizations they represent: Abi Austin and Derek Thompson both of Cross Country), Avery Donelson (DECA) and George Green (Football), Bri Alvarado and David Distefano (both of FBLA), Kate DeGraaf (Girls Swim) and Chase Cunningham (Science National Honor Society), Kendal Richard (Octagon Club) and Luke Mullen (Link Crew), Kylie Cummins (Volleyball) and Teegan Burdick (Football), Macy Chapman (National Honor Society) and Logan Grandt-Turke (Band), Nina May Johnson (Band) and Gavin Roth (Octagon Club), Savhanna Stecker (Girls Swim) and Carson Buckman (National Honor Society), Paige Pryne (Blue Ribbon of Promise) and Stephen Kaster (Soccer), Julia Schumann and Ben Reuter (both of Student Council) and Tatum Richardson (Letterwomen’s Club) and Marshall Frost (Football)
Parade
On Thursday from 1:50-3:28, the band, Homecoming court,and members of clubs and sports will march in the annual parade.
Retired assistant principal Monte Phillips will be this year’s Grand Marshall.
This year’s parade route is different. It will proceed along Randall and Ruger Avenues and ending on Hillside Court.
Students should know that the school building is closed after the parade.
Therefore, “Students should take all of their things with them when they go to the parade,” said Mr. Kane. “When the parade is over, students are excused and do not need to return to school.” He added, “We expect our students to be respectful of our neighbors and their property.”
Pep Assembly
On Friday, the pep assembly will begin at 1:15 and last approximately 45 minutes.
Students will hear the pep band, see performances from the cheerleaders, and pom squad and dance team and compete in games to win the Spirit Stick.
The games include an obstacle course, pie-eating contest, administrator TP wrap, hula hoop race, tug-of-war and decibel yell.
Class officers will also present their grade’s banners based on their theme.
This year’s class themes are Famous Freshmen, Sparkling Sophomores, Jungle Juniors and Subway Surfing Seniors.
Inflatables, Powderpuff Football
Starting at 2 until the day’s end, inflatables like jousting and basketball and slides will be set up outside, along with a dunk tank and DJ.
The art department will provide face painting, and the Ag department will sell ice cream.
Members of the Letterwomen’s Club will play a Powderpuff football game, organized and officiated by members of the Phy Ed department.
“Students are not allowed to be in the building after the pep assembly until we dismiss for the day,” said Mr. Kane.
Athletic Events
Homecoming is also a celebration of our student athletes and teams. Craig’s fall sports have a full schedule during the week.
On Tuesday, boys soccer plays at home against Madison LaFolltette The JV games start at 4:30, and varsity starts at 7.
On Thursday JV football plays Verona at 4:30 at Craig. On Friday, varsity football takes on Verona. Kickoff is at 7 at Monterey Stadium.
Girls golf plays their sectional on Monday. Girls tennis sectionals will be held at Stoughton on Wednesday.
Volleyball travels to Madison LaFollette for a match on Tuesday, and girls swim heads to Madison LaFollette for a meet on Thursday.
The Dance
Homecoming concludes on Saturday, Oct. 7 with the dance from 8-11 pm. This year’s theme is “Under the Stars.”
Tickets go on sale on Monday. Sales will end after 8:00 am on Friday. Students can buy their tickets before school from 7:30-7:55, and after school from 3:30-4.
Ticket sales will take place in the 800 hallway outside the Large Auditorium and cost $10. Tickets will not be sold at the door.
A Homecoming Sticker will be placed on students’ digital school ID, which will be scanned for entry into the dance. A physical ticket will not be issued to Craig students.
Students who are guests or who are enrolled at one of Janesville’s charter schools will be issued physical tickets. These will be provided once purchased.
Charter students and outside guests must provide a photo ID upon entry of the dance.
In addition, guests must complete one of two forms, depending on their status as either a
Janesville charter school students or a student who attends another school (such as Parker or Milton).
Guest forms are due at the end of day on Thursday, Oct 5. Guest tickets may not be purchased until the guest form is turned in and the guest is approved.
Students who leave the dance will not be allowed re-entry, and no entry after 9:30.
Mr. Kane said, “For the safety and security of our students and staff, all students entering the dance may be subject to both an Alco-Wand and a metal detector wand scan.”
Much of the information and quotes for this article were provided by emails sent by assistant principal Shawn Kane.
