Are you new to Blackman High School? Do you have no idea what in the world to expect Homecoming Week? Well, I have the answers for you! This guide will help you get ready, so you don’t miss out on the fun. 

Homecoming Week runs from Sept. 15-19. The theme this year is “Once Upon a Homecoming,” and each day of the week has a dress-up style to follow.  

• Monday is Sleeping Beauty (wear your pajamas) 

• Tuesday is a teacher workday, so there is no school for students. 

• Wednesday is Hakuna Matata (wear print/camo) 

• Thursday is Ohana (wear Hawaiian) 

• Friday is All in This Together (freshmen and juniors wear orange, sophomores and seniors wear blue) 

All this excitement builds up for special school events on Friday, which include the Blaze Bash, as well as the pep rally and parade. Then on Friday evening we have the homecoming football game. 

Parade 

• On Friday morning around first period, club members, athletes, band members, and the homecoming court are dismissed to prepare for the parade. 

• After some time, each grade level will be called outside to line up in front of the school before the parade begins. 

• Parade participants ride in or on top of cars decorated with banners and often toss candy to parade onlookers. The parade lasts as long as it takes to travel from the high school to the elementary school and back. 

• Once the parade ends, students are instructed to return to their first or second period, depending on the time the parade finishes.  

Blaze Bash 

• Students get to enjoy the foods and snacks provided by the vendors during Blaze Bash, which begins at the first lunch and runs through the end of fourth lunch. 

“There was a lot of stuff there. The food was good, decent.” said senior Marcus Massengale about the Blaze Bash food. 

• Each lunch period is given about 45-50 minutes to grab a meal and eat before returning to class so the next lunch can have their turn.  

• In the past, students could only pay in cash, but now cards are also allowed. However, it is still recommended to carry cash of at least $15-20 just in case. 

Pep Rally 

• Students who do not want to attend the pep rally may wait in holding areas around the school while their classmates are at the pep rally.  

• When the announcement is made telling your grade to release to the pep rally, your teacher will tell you which rooms nearby are holding areas.  

• When students arrive in the gym, they should sit in their grade’s designated area (freshmen, sophomores, juniors, or seniors) 

• Each grade chants for a chance to win the spirit stick, given to the group that shows the most Blackman Blaze spirit, especially during the games played by select students from each grade. 

• Fall sports, dance, and cheer teams are announced, and dance and cheer often perform. 

• Since this is the homecoming pep rally, homecoming attendants and their escorts are brought onto the floor and announced to the student body.  

The Big Game 

• The game against LaVergne will be played in The Inferno on Sept. 19 at 7 p.m. At half-time the homecoming court is presented, and the homecoming queen will be crowned. 

The Homecoming Court 

• This year’s homecoming representatives are:  

• 9th grade- Julianna Sengbouttarath 

• 10th grade- Addison Merson 

• 11th grade- Lauren Lyons 

• Senior attendants, one of whom will be crowned homecoming queen, include: 

• Aaliyah Avent 

• Brooklyn Bennett 

• Lauren Thaxton 

• Sofia Bonillo 

• Tavaria Davis 

Last year’s Homecoming queen was Kaelyn Flowers. 

“It’s a sight to see the person who you voted for on the fields,” said senior Mariah Okarie. “Kaelyn Flowers, my ex-teammate, was homecoming queen [last year.] She is everything a homecoming queen needs to be, and I was very happy for her!”  

When asked about homecoming week, most students stated that they enjoy the tradition, and it is a great experience. Some students expressed their annoyance with the wait time for some of the events, especially Blaze Bash. Some students note that the Friday schedule can be unpredictable if the time for the parade or pep rally overlaps with class time. While others comment on how easy going Friday can be as almost all their teachers assign little to no work that day, but not all teachers are the same.  

Homecoming Week can be overwhelming, especially if you have never experienced it before, but thanks to this guide, now you know what to expect. If you find yourself confused, ask a classmate or teacher and they will help you find your way.