EUGENE, Mo. -- The Cole County R-5 School District is celebrating homecoming this week under the theme "Destination HOCO."
Tuesday was "Anything But a Backpack Day," meaning students could take what they need for class in any container except a backpack.
Today is "Color War" day; each class will be wearing a different color to show their spirit.
Thursday will be "Aloha" Day or "Hawaiian Tourist" Day in which students are encouraged to wear beach-themed or Hawaiian gear.
Friday will be "Black and White Day," the day of homecoming. The pep assembly will be at 2 p.m. in the high school gym.
Eugene's 2022 homecoming candidates are:
• Macy Adrian, the daughter of Mark and Gina Adrian, is a member of the volleyball team and was named first team all-district her sophomore and senior years and second team all-conference her sophomore, junior and senior years. During her junior year, she broke the blocking record. She has also been on the basketball team, and she is a four-year member of FFA and student council, where she is a senior class representative. She has been in the National Honor Society for three years. She attends Our Lady of the Snows Catholic Church. She plans to attend college to major in nursing after graduation.
• Garrett Morris, the son of Mark and Tammy Morris, is a four-year member of FFA and a three-year member of the National Honor Society. He attends Immanuel Lutheran Church. He plans to attend Ozark Technical College or Missouri State University after graduation.
• Mallory Adrian, the daughter of Brian and Jennifer Adrian, is a four-year member of the basketball team and she helped win a district and sectional championship during her junior year. She has also played softball and golf. She has been in NHS for four years and is its public relations officer this year. She is a member of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes and is its vice president. She has also been in FFA, science club and has been on student council for three years and is its secretary this year. Mallory attends Our Lady of the Snows Catholic Church. After she graduates, Mallory wants to go to MU to major in health science to become an occupational therapist.
• Tyler Renn, the son of Rance and Lisa Renn, is a four-year member of the basketball team, where he earned first team all-conference and first team all-district his sophomore year and a conference, district and sectional championship, first team all-conference and all- district honors his junior year and set a new school record for points in a single game. He has also played baseball for four years and received first team all-conference, all-district and all-state honorable mention honors during his freshman year. He was a conference MVP, district MVP and all-state pitcher and set records for wins in a single season, strikeouts in a single season and shutouts in a single season. He is a member of the golf team and was named individual conference champion, all-district and was a state qualifier as a junior. He attends Our Lady of the Snows Catholic Church. He plans to go to Columbia College on a baseball scholarship after graduation.
• JeAnn Boessen, the daughter of Shawn and Carrie Boessen, is a three-year member of the volleyball team and received all-conference honors as a sophomore. She has been in FFA for five years and is now its president. She is a member of NHS. She is a member of the student hospitality club. She attends Our Lady of the Snows Catholic Church. After graduation, she plans to attend Missouri State University for business and early childhood development to open a daycare.
• Brody Mason, the son of Kerry Mason and Eric Mason, attends Church of the Nazarene. After graduation, he plans to attend Missouri State Technical College to major in heating and air-conditioning.
• Kyliah Dassrath, the daughter of Roger and Jennifer Carr and Christian Dassrath, has played softball and volleyball for one year. She has been in FFA for four years and is the current vice president. She is also the vice president of NHS. She is a four-year member of the student council and is its treasurer. She is also a two-year member of the hospitality club. Kyliah attends Solid Rock Church. After graduation, she wants to major in finance.
• Damien Kempker, the son of Pat and Tiffany Kempker, is a four-year member of the Eagles baseball team and helped to win conference co-champions, district champions and sectional champions. He is a four-year member of the track team, where he was all-district in pole vault and the 4x200 relay. He received Show-Me conference champion honors in that relay as well. He plans to attend Missouri State Technical College to major in civil engineering.
• Lamajah Johnson, the daughter of Lloyd and Sally Belt, has played basketball for four years and won district and sectional championships her junior year. She is a member of the track team, NHS and the student hospitality club. She is a four-year member of FCA, of which she is the president, and a member of the Future Business Leaders of America. She is a member of the student council, of which she is vice president, and a member of FFA, the science club and the golf team. She attends Capital City Christian Church. She plans to attend MU to major in human resources.
• Javan Steinhardt, the son of Charles and Crystal Hake, is a member of the baseball team, where he won district and sectional championships in 2021. He is also a three-year member of the basketball team and a one-year member of the golf team. He is a member of FCA and FBLA and is a senior class representative on student council. He is also class president. He attends Capital City Christian Church. After graduation, he plans to attend MACC to pursue a degree in finance.
• Sophie Stieferman, the daughter of Keith and Angie Stieferman, is a member of the softball team, where she received first team all-conference, all district and all regional honors. She is also a basketball player and is on the track team. She is in FFA, student council, FCA and NHS. She is also in the student hospitality club and is the treasurer of SkillsUSA. She attends Our Lady of the Snows Catholic Church and plans to attend Northwest Missouri State University to major in food and nutrition to become a dietitian.
• Caden Anderson, the son of Cory and Melissa Anderson, is a member of marching band and is a section leader. He was named all-district and was an all-state honorable mention. He is also a member of scholar bowl and received all-conference and all-district honors. He is a state-qualifying golfer. He is also on the track team. He plans to attend college to study engineering.
The king and queen will be crowned Friday between the junior varsity and varsity games between the Eugene Eagles and School of the Osage Indians.