Winner High School is celebrating homecoming this week.

This year’s homecoming theme is “There’s no place like Homecoming” (Wizard of Oz).

The WHS student council would like to welcome the alumni to help celebrate homecoming the week of Sept. 23-27.

The royalty candidates are Ava Craven, Preslie Petersek, Keelie Kuil, Adysen Pravecek, Cora Moss, Shawn Hammerbeck, Kellen Brozik, Konner Osborn, Gus Bartels and Karson Keiser.

The senior float riders are Tessa Sieh, Daisy McIntyre, Jenaya Schrader, Arnolla Duffy, Kierra Bainter, Austin Blare, Landon Calhoon, Ryder Halligan, Broden Duffy and Evan Bartels.

The master and mistress of ceremony for coronation will be Bo Hurley and Kyla Mammen.

Coronation will be Sept. 26 starting at 7:30 p.m. in the armory. The crowning of the Princess & Warrior, the announcement of the parade marshal and alumni roll call are all highlights of the coronation ceremony.

The high school band and football cheerleaders will do the school song.

The WHS competitive dance team will have a special performance.

The burning of the W will immediately follow the ceremony in front of the WHS ag building.

Any alumni reunions that require reserved seating can call Haley Barfuss at the high school at 842-8125. There is also reserved seating available for alumni that prefer not to climb the bleachers and other seating is available on a first come-first serve basis.

On Friday, Sept. 27 at 10 a.m. will be the pep rally where there will be activities including the battle of the classes, the candidates, float riders and MCs will all be in a challenge against each other.

The public is welcome to attend. Students and spectators will sit on the west side of the armory.

Also on Friday, students and faculty will dress in purple and gold to prepare to celebrate Winner High School with the annual parade and football game.

The parade will be at 2 p.m.

Any group that wants to participate can call Barfuss and she will give them the details. The school would love to see any group or business that has Warrior Pride to get involved.

Entries will line up at the corner of 7th and Country Club Road at 1 p.m. on Friday afternoon. The theme of the parade is “There’s No Place Like Homecoming” and can be used for any float or entry.

WHS would like to remind everyone that the school and field are alcohol and drug free zones.

The week will conclude with the most revered homecoming activity in Winner’s history, the football game. The ticket office opens at 5:30 p.m. with pregame activities at 6:30 p.m. and kickoff at 7 p.m. Winner will take on Miller/Highmore-Harold.

The competitive cheer team will show off their hard work and talent with a special halftime performance.

The student council will have concessions with proceeds going to help fund homecoming activities. There will be grilled burgers or hot dogs.

At the football game, the WHS nutrition class will put together chili to serve at the football game.  The class has had a lot of sponsors that have donated fresh garden produce and beef.

As of the newspaper’s deadline, those who have donated to the chili are Jason and Tovi Bartels, Pravecek Brothers, McCready Construction, Kathy Woods, Mardi Pederson, Mandy Audiss, Skyler and Abby Kuil.

Prior to the football game there will be a hot dog feed starting at 5:30 p.m. at the ag building.

It will be a free will offering.

This feed is sponsored by 3R Cattle Company, Grossenburg Implemennt, Winner Livestock Auction and Raven Angus.

It takes a lot of work to put on homecoming. The student council appreciates the administration, businesses and community for helping to make this endeavor a success.