Streamer-covered halls, Decatur blue and themed dress up days all acted as signs that Decatur’s Homecoming week had arrived. Taking place Sept. 19 to Sept. 23, the week brought a Homecoming parade through the square, a grade-based hallway decorating contest and a chance for current and past students alike to return to Eagle Stadium for the game. 

Preparation for Homecoming started over the summer, with Student Council, cheer, teachers and administration all lending a helping hand in the planning of the festivities.  

“Hours, days, and weekends are spent ironing out the details, and it takes everyone working together to make it a success,” Student Council Sponsor Raegan Bayless said. “Mrs. Hogan, our student council officers, Mr. Nauman, Mrs. Chance, Mr. Lackey, Mrs. Coffman, Mrs. Hocevar, Mr. McNeil — all of us do the best we can to make the week memorable for our students, staff, community, and alumni.” 

After all the preparations, the first event for students was hallway decorating. Bringing back the tradition started last year, the contest pitted the grades against each other to show the most school spirit. Decorations were in the classic blue, black and white of the Decatur Eagles and included streamers, balloons and signs. 

“I really like the hallway decorating competition,” senior Ivy Gardner said. “It’s fun to see everything decorated for Homecoming and the different grade’s colors in the hallways.”

The themed days consisted of a western theme on Monday, Disney theme on Tuesday, beach theme on Wednesday, camo theme on Thursday and Decatur Eagle gear for the pep rally on Friday. These themes inspired students and teachers to go all out for the Decatur Eagles and show their school spirit. 

“I love dressing up and having fun with it [spirit days],” senior McKenna Samples said. “I would say each day was fun to dress up for but my favorite was dressing up as Grumpy from Snow White.”

On Wednesday, Decatur High School held the Homecoming parade, with the community gathering around the square to watch as floats for elementary schools, DHS sports and the Homecoming court, among other groups, made their way down Main Street.
The Homecoming court included freshman prince Shane Elosegui and princess Avery Freeman, sophomore prince Rylan Cavasos and princess Maya Conrad, junior prince Asher Hamilton and princess Emma Stephens. Senior queen nominees included Taylee Dickey, Cynthia Reyes, Malayna McDaniel and Kaiya Read, along with senior king nominees Gavin Lyons, Kalvin Atonio, Korbin Owens and Aden Hinshaw.

“My favorite part of Homecoming was the parade!” Atonio said. “The floats were amazing and it was an experience to ride in a nice car and pretty myself up to showcase myself to the community!”

The parade ended in a community-wide pep rally, followed by the high school pep rally on Friday. The high school pep rally included recognition of the Homecoming court, skits, half-court shots and the classic Decatur Eagle fight song. 

At Friday’s game, the Eagles took on the Alvarado Indians and won the game 59-29. During halftime, Atonio and Reyes were recognized as Homecoming king and queen. 

“My reaction to winning was just crazy, everything happened so fast, and when they called my name I couldn’t believe it,” Atonio said. “I was shocked and also very honored to be representing our student body!”

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