NEWELL—A successful homecoming week saw the girls volleyball team win their home game and the boys football team win their home game as well. In addition to the wins, a week filled with events, coronation and a parade kept Irrigator pride at an all time high.
Each year, the crowning of homecoming royalty highlights the tradition and spirit of the celebration. Monday evening, October 6, saw the Austin Auditorium transformed into a royal stage as students, staff and families gathered for the homecoming coronation. It’s held on the first evening of homecoming week, allowing the newly elected king and queen to reign over the entire week’s events.
The royal court included: Queen candidates, Tayla Neely, Sarah Erk, Miya Mailloux and Rachel Stranberg; King candidates, Michael Lawson, Rowdy Wetz, Orrin Youngberg and Malachi Whitaker; MCs, Kendra Johnson and Kenzie McTaggart; Crown bearers, Hayley Fox and Merritt Grant.
The event recognized the students that play football, volleyball and cross country. The coaches of each sport took to the mic to share inspirational messages to the players.
The 2025 Homecoming Royalty is Queen Sarah Erk and King Michael Lawson. Following the ceremony the newly crowned pair led the tradition of ringing of the bell and then the burning of the N.
The week of October 6 through the October 11 had special events each day meant to keep school spirit soaring! Activities were geared to include all grades from pre-k to senior year. Every day of the week had a different theme, for the elementary students Monday was class color, each class was assigned a color and they were all then encouraged to wear that color to represent their grade level. Tuesday was twin day where everyone was encouraged to grab a friend and twin them. The next day saw mismatched and silly attire with crazy hair for Wacky Wednesday. Thursday brought everyone together for Irrigator Spirit day. Students and staff dressed in their best maroon and white. Friday was dress up day to show school spirit once again.
For the high school Monday was Adam Sandler Day, Tuesday was Rhyme without reason day, Wednesday was decade day where each class picked a decade to dress up as, Thursday brought a high school full of Barbies and Kens to represent that day and finally Friday was maroon and white day to fill the halls with school spirit.
On Friday at noon each class gathered on the float that they had been working hard to design and headed to the down town area of Newell to show off their creations. The elementary school was all together on one float, followed by the middle school. Then starting with the 6th grade each class had their own float. Friends and family lined the street and enjoyed the show.
Saturday kicked off with an NEA bake sale and Booster Club tailgate party starting an hour before the start of the football game.
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