A radical reconstruction of homecoming week has returned Helias Catholic High School to its roots of faith, unity and school pride.
Some events traditionally held off campus returned to the school grounds. And other activities were added and subtracted.
"A lot of the changes are different, but our classes are strong," said senior Alex Eickhoff. "I'm excited I get to be a person in a turning point for Helias."
The reconstruction committee included faculty and students, said student council president Kylie Nolla. They cleared the slate and reinvented what homecoming should be like.
For the first time in memory, the Helias homecoming football game will be held on a Friday - at 7 p.m., hosting the Hannibal Pirates at Adkins Stadium.
"Some of the old-timers say they won't know what to do because they are so used to homecoming being on Saturday," said head football coach Chris Hentges.
The dance has returned to the school gym, and Gabrielle Heckman was excited for the opportunity to re-establish both the themed decorations - board games this year - and a special background for photograph keepsakes.
"It will be like a huge game board," Heckman said. "It will be really fun."
But these activities cost. So Heckman also organized a first-time washer tournament as a fundraiser.
New traditions
Eickhoff and his committee of underclassmen took on the task of reinstating the bonfire - looking up YouTube videos and researching stacking strategies.
"This will be the first time; it should be pretty exciting," Eickhoff said.
The accompanying pep rally, following the parade at 6:30 p.m. today downtown, was relocated from the Capitol to the school.
"Plus with the dance here too, it will be a better atmosphere and bring something special to the school on our own turf," Eickhoff said. "It will be a more Helias-oriented thing."
Students and faculty have been gathering boxes, hopefully a thousand, for the bonfire. And fixings for s'mores and hot chocolate are set.
"It will be a comfortable atmosphere, where the student body together can get excited about homecoming," Eickhoff said. Admittedly, Helias piggy-backed Jefferson City High School's bonfire tradition.
"We thought "Why not adopt it?'" Eickhoff said. "It's a pretty good idea."
An addition was the Senior Barbecue held Sunday after the Power/ Powderpuff game with donated food and music.
"We've never done anything like this before," Heckman said.
"Hopefully it will bring the seniors together.
"I hope the next class will continue it as something to look forward to. That was the goal, to set new traditions."
Several school days had a designated participation option - formal dress, fullbody costumes, and sports jersey.
And Friday school will begin at 8 a.m. instead of 9 a.m. Homecoming T-shirt profits will benefit the United Way of Central Missouri.
"We're not reinventing "the' wheel, but our wheel," said Chip Malmstrom, student council sponsor. "Things were skewed and thoughts were becoming unoriginal."
Competition between classes had escalated. So unity became a major theme in the reconstruction.
And including Mass at the beginning of the homecoming week renewed a more reverent reminder, Nolla said.
Vice president Brian Oxenhandler said he hoped by the end of the week's festivities, students still will be talking about the new activities because they had such a great time.
"Everyone is working together for a fun homecoming," Oxenhandler said.