History of fall homecoming at Lakin High School

Just like the game of football, homecoming has changed over the years. In 1949, business managers were also chosen by each class to aid in the election campaigns. That  year, sophomore Sylvia Oakley received the title, and her business manager was her future husband, Eugene Rieger. Beginning in 1954, only senior girls could be elected queen. That year the senior class nominated four girls, and the entire school voted on them. The young lady with the most votes was crowned queen, and the runner-up became part of the homecoming court as senior attendant. The other classes still selected a girl to represent their class as an attendant on the homecoming court. Only two senior girls were selected as candidates the following year, a practice that continued until the 1982-1983 school year when seniors began nominating three queen candidates.

In 1992, no football homecoming queen was crowned although candidates and attendants had been chosen. Lakin High School sponsored a public bonfire the night before the football game. A snake dance ensued which, according to school officials, was not a school-sponsored activity. Things got out of hand that evening. According to the Sheriff’s report, there were several reports of fireworks being thrown from vehicles as well as property damage. A fire hydrant was turned on, a trash dumpster was moved out into the street, and a mattress was pulled onto Main Street with the intention of setting it on fire. As a disciplinary action, administration cancelled Friday’s homecoming festivities and all weekend sporting activities. The following year, homecoming began being referred to as Fall Homecoming rather than football homecoming.

From 1948 to 1998, the following were all honored as football/fall homecoming queens at Lakin High School: Arlene Williams, Sylvia Oakley, Helen Cochell, Deloris Hubbard, Mary Hoss, Christine Houghtaling, Kay Craig, Lois McCue, Glenda Hubbard, Leta McCue, Dixie Stallard, Vivian Oakley, Arlene Glaspy, Pat Schulz, Sherril Fletcher, Carol Cadenhead, Sheryl Bostrom, Patsy Weldon, Vivian Fletcher, Linda Waechter, Meredith Hoppas, Cherri Gunter, Margaret Williams, Karen Jenks, Robin Henderson, Sonya Moore, Jane Shaw, Kimberly Hagemann, Tammie Cole, Rhonda Edgington, Karla Smith, Valerie Williams, Janet Waechter, Gillian White, Nora Tallant, Sheri Stockton, Mary Woodrow, Wendy Hayzlett, Nicki Estes, Katie Fletcher, Carrie Young, Dana Lutz, Steph Wilken, Summer Vann, Cammi Eveleigh, Jenny Wright, Charity Kennedy, Alisha Ansel, Molly Bachman, and Jennifer Hall.

The tradition of electing a homecoming king began in the fall of 1999. The first homecoming king was Justin Howard, and the queen was Amanda Ansel. Other kings and queens since that time have been: Nick Hamblen and Lacey Allaman; Bo Richardson and Megan Jennings; Adres De la Vega and Ashley Rexroat; Pancho Magallanes and Michelle Ridgeway; Keena Crone and Amanda Williams; T.J. Meyer and Justine Sullivan; Billy Rooney and Caitlin Olson; Reed McAtee and Callie Berlier; Zac Anthony and Tiana Perea; Jonathan Walls and Tayler Frederiksen; Dalton Davis and Keyton McAtee; Shane Davidson and Mariah Hill; Kevin Dasenbrock and Shirea Woodrow; Brent Rooney and Kara Simmons; Pancho Klassen and Jhoryn Hernandez; Ben Athony and Kelsey Jury; Michael Aller and Kayla Calkins; Hunter Kirby and Alyse Pollart; Juan Banuelos and Jypsey Tammerine; William Gilleland and Meagan Ritsema; Tanner Hattabaugh and Tiana Gonzalez; Omar Gonzalez and Isabell Ortiz; and Dravin Chavira and Sara Wright.

For nostalgia’s sake, here are a few pictures from LHS’s past royalty and homecomings. There are more on our Facebook page, www.facebook.com/kearnycountymuseum.