In 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic put a stop to the usual Homecoming plans.

Valerie Corson, a Marshalltown High School counselor and co-advisor of the Student Senate said there is a lot of excitement among students this Homecoming season. Last year, she felt the overall theme of Homecoming was students trying to make the best of the situation, with this year having the feeling of a comeback.

“They are very excited to have our traditions back,” Corson said. “They’re just ready to have everything go back to normal.”

She said the Student Senate was adamant to make this year’s Homecoming week to feel as close to normal as possible. With minimal changes, this year’s Homecoming week has a more typical feel. Events such as the parade, Powder Puff/Powder Buff games and Homecoming Dance all return this week.

T-R PHOTO BY TREVOR BABCOCK — Members of Marshalltown High School’s Student Senate painted ‘Beat Dodge’ outside of the Leonard Cole Football Field in preparation for Friday night’s Homecoming game.

This year’s Homecoming theme is “Light Up The Night,” which is meant to demonstrate the enthusiasm behind the return of Homecoming celebrations.

“It’s all just kind of glitz, glamour, glow, just trying to brighten everybody up and bring some excitement,” Corson said.

Students also participate in themed-dress days throughout the week, with Monday being team day where students wear clothing in support of their favorite sports teams. Corson said students really wanted a day to focus on celebrating themselves and their differences with Tuesday being diversity day. Students are encouraged on diversity day to dress in a way that shows others who they are.

Friday is Bobcat Blackout and Spirit Day with a blackout is planned for the football game Friday night. Black Homecoming shirts with ‘Bobcat Blackout’ on the front are available for the first time. To accommodate the “Light Up The Night” theme, attendees at Friday’s football game will have red and blue glow sticks to wave.

Candidates for Homecoming king and Homecoming queen have been announced with the coronation set for 7 p.m., Thursday at Leonard Cole Field. In previous years, the coronation was at the Marshalltown High School Roundhouse, but to keep up with COVID-19 mitigation efforts the event moved outdoors this year.

The 2021 Marshalltown High School Homecoming Court includes:

Queen candidates: Bianca Andrade, Rochelle Avalos, Lisbeth Avina, Phoebe Hermanson, Jennifer Mendoza, Kendall See and Rachel Smith.

King candidates: Austin Close, Marco Herrera, Dominick Garth, Emmanuel Gonzalez, Aaron Seberger, Ziek Slocum and Gannon Williams.

Before coronation will be the Homecoming Court Parade at 6 p.m., Thursday evening. Floats representing school activities and student groups will travel down Main Street to Second Avenue. The parade’s Grand Marshal will be former Marshalltown High School cross country coach and athletic director Tim Bell. Bell served as the cross country coach for 32 years and athletic director 13 years, coaching 541 cross country runners.

Events capping off Homecoming will be the Marshalltown High School football team hosting Fort Dodge at 7:30 p.m. Friday night with the student Homecoming dance to follow at 8 p.m. on Saturday night.

——

Contact Trevor Babcock at 641-753-6611

or tbabcock@timesrepublican.com