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Traditions return for MFL MarMac homecoming

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The 1971 MFL football team, which went undefeated and won the Upper Iowa Conference title, will serve as the grand marshal of the homecoming parade. It’s just one of many highlights planned for the week, which will run from Sept. 19-25.

By Audrey Posten, Times-Register

 

Several traditions—and some new activities—will be celebrated during MFL MarMac’s homecoming week, Sept. 19-25.

 

“I’ve been on the student council for all four years, and I believe this year is going to be very fun because we’re bringing back a lot of the old stuff, and I feel like it’s bringing the community back together,” said Abby Schellhorn, who was among the members who discussed the student council’s planning efforts.

 

“We’re trying to get as much community involvement as possible, to make everyone feel included,” added Mindy Keehner.

 

Hailee Corlett said the week will offer a sense of normalcy for students after last year’s activities were altered by the pandemic. 

 

“We’ll have homecoming court, the pep rally back to normal, the game and then the dance will really hit off the week,” she shared.

 

The students are most excited about the homecoming dance, which will be held on a Saturday night this year instead of the Friday night right after the football game.

 

“There’s a lot going on Friday, and with the football game, it just gets really late,”  which hurt attendance, said Amelya Weigand.

 

The student council expects record attendance at the event, which will be held in the high school gym. It will be formal this year, something Corlett said students pushed for.

 

“Many other schools do that formal dance, and many kids would go to other schools and said they enjoyed it and that we should do it,” added Emme Schroeder.

 

Also back to their original time slots will be the Iron Man volleyball and Powder Puff football games. Held Sunday night, the activities are the kickoff to homecoming week.

 

The games had most recently been held during a school day and, although spectators were allowed to come and watch, Corlett said many people couldn’t make it because of work. 

 

“We wanted to move it back to have more community involvement,” she explained.

 

Lauren Haberichter said Iron Man will run from 5 to 6 p.m. and Powder Puff from 6 to 7 p.m.

 

“We’re also going to have a tailgate party beforehand for everyone to join. That will be fun,” she noted.

 

The Powder Puff and Iron Man games create fun rivalries between the high school classes.

 

“We get really competitive,” quipped Weigand.

 

“A lot of teams are already scheduling practices,” said Haberichter. “It’s fun that the guys in your grade coach the girls, and the girls coach the guys. We get closer.”

 

According to Aedan Whitney, new stars are born every year.

 

“There are people you don’t think are very good, but when they play, they shock you,” he said.

 

Also back this year will be a homecoming fun day on Wednesday, Sept. 22. Students will play games throughout the morning and afternoon and enjoy a tailgate lunch with grilled burgers courtesy of the Clayton County Cattlemen as well as shakes in the afternoon.

 

“Pat Wille is bringing in the National Guard to do laser tag. I feel like that’s going to be a huge hit,” Schellhorn said.

 

Fun Day games have been organized jointly between the student council, FFA, SODA (Students Opposed to Drugs and Alcohol) and National Honor Society.

 

“All of our clubs came together to help each other out and plan a really fun day for the student body,” Schroeder said.

 

The biggest day of the week will be Friday, Sept. 24, starting with the homecoming parade in Monona at 2 p.m.

 

Many classes are building floats this year, taking a step up from the wooden “spirit boards” that were normally created and displayed in the back of a truck. Weigand said each class effort will be judged.

 

“It’s sparked some more competition inside our school,” said Schroeder.

 

“People are getting more creative,” Keehner added.

 

Another highlight of the parade will be a grand marshal. Schellhorn said it will be the 1971 MFL football team that went undefeated and won the Upper Iowa Conference title. 

 

“I feel like it will be really good for the community because they were so good back then, and we’re getting better every year with our football team. It’s a good little pep up before the football game on Friday,” she shared.

 

Immediately following the parade is the pep rally in the high school gym. Members of the homecoming court will play games, and the king will be crowned.

 

Whitney said last year’s king, Kale Miene, will return to crown the new individual. Rose Grau, the queen from 2020, will do the honors during halftime of that night’s football game against Sumner-Fredericksburg.

 

Schellhorn said she’s most excited for football coach Dan Anderson’s pep talk. His original poem from last year, called “The Streak,” was a fan favorite.

 

“I get goosebumps even thinking about it,” she remarked.

 

The student council members called homecoming week a collective “adrenaline rush” for all of MFL MarMac.

 

Weigand said fans show up to support not just the football team, but volleyball and cross country too.

 

“It gets everyone excited and energized to play,” she stated.

 

“It gives you a good feeling to see everyone there supporting you,” Keehner added.

 

Corlett said the student section is louder than ever, “and everyone just comes together as a whole. It’s really heartwarming.”

 

“It gives it the name ‘proud to be a Bulldog,’” Schroeder reflected.

 

That’s even more poignant for seniors like Schellhorn.

 

“This is our last homecoming as a Bulldog, before we turn into alumni. You want to make a good name for your school,” she said.

 


MFL MarMac Homecoming Schedule of Events

Friday, Sept. 17 - Court announced

 

Sunday, Sept. 19 - Ironman Volleyball at 5 p.m., Powder Puff Football at 6 p.m., Booster Club tailgate serving in lobby and football concession stand

 

Monday, Sept. 20 - Classes decorate respective hallways

 

Tuesday, Sept. 21 - Court has lunch with elementary students

 

Wednesday, Sept. 22 -  FUN DAY: Games in the morning and afternoon, laser tag with the National Guard, tailgate lunch with Clayton County Cattlemen grilling burgers and shakes served in the afternoon

 

Thursday, Sept. 23 - King and queen voting

 

Friday, Sept. 24 - Bulldog breakfast, parade at 2 p.m., pep rally and crowing of king in high school gym starting at 3 p.m., Booster Club ribeye steak tailgate, football game versus Sumner-Fredericksburg starting at 7:30 p.m., crowning of queen at halftime

 

Saturday, Sept. 25 -  Dance in high school gym from 8-11 p.m.

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