West Liberty-Salem homecoming court members include: senior queen candidates Mallory Bostick, Madeline Cole, Megan Hollar, Brooklyn Wilcoxon and Isabelle Wygal; senior king candidates Riggs Lapp, Joey LaRoche, Sam Lauck, Gabe McGill and Carter Titus; junior attendant Londyn Loveless; sophomore attendant Marisa Smith; and freshman attendant Kiersten Stoll. (ALISE PHOTOGRAPHY PHOTO)
Homecoming is celebrated this week at West Liberty-Salem Schools, and the school has announced its homecoming court and festivities.
Court members include: senior queen candidates Mallory Bostick, Madeline Cole, Megan Hollar, Brooklyn Wilcoxon and Isabelle Wygal; senior king candidates are Riggs Lapp, Joey LaRoche, Sam Lauck, Gabe McGill and Carter Titus; junior attendant Londyn Loveless; sophomore attendant Marisa Smith; and freshman attendant Kiersten Stoll.
The homecoming parade will begin at 6:30 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 21. Homecoming court will line up at 5:45 p.m. at Lions Park and floats should line up at 6 p.m.
The parade will begin leaving Lions Park on Pickrelltown Road, traveling down U.S. Route 68 into the village, turning left onto State Route 245, and back to Lions Park.
A community bonfire will immediately follow. Principal Greg Johnson will introduce the homecoming court, attendants and fall sports teams.
This year’s homecoming parade grand marshal is Louise Dunham.
Mrs. Dunham has been an active part of the West Liberty-Salem community since 1970 when she was hired to teach high school physical education and health for girls only.
Over the year, she taught high school, middle school, and elementary physical education in the district.
Her passion for the development of interscholastic female sports motivated her to organize many of the varsity girls’ sports programs that are so successful today at WL-S.
She coached junior high track and field, volleyball, basketball and cheer.
She is also responsible for developing the elementary track and field day that continues today.
Many of the runners who join the top-notch running programs at WL-S are inspired by her influence.
Later in her career, Mrs. Dunham would be hired as one of the first female athletic directors in the area, where she served until she retired from both athletic directing and teaching in 2003.
She continues to serve local school districts as a substitute teacher and volunteers with West Liberty-Salem athletics officiating, bookkeeping and mentoring coaches and young athletes.
Friday, students in K-12 will attend the school pep rally. They will follow the Tiger Jungle student section theme of Neon Day for their spirit day theme.
Friday evening, Sept. 22. the homecoming ceremony will begin at 6:15 p.m. at Tiger Stadium. The court, attendants, and their escorts will be introduced on the field followed by the presentation of the 2023 Homecoming Queen and King.
The court, attendants and escorts should arrive at the main entrance of the school for pictures at 5:15. The homecoming game will kick off at 7 p.m.
The Marching Tiger Band will host a band alumni cookout beginning at 4 p.m. Friday evening, sponsored by the Band Boosters followed by practice and an alumni/Tiger Band halftime show.
The homecoming dance at West Liberty-Salem High School from 7 to 10 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 23.