First Pep Fest kicks off 2022 Homecoming

Derek Klecker and Jose Rosas

2022 OHS Homecoming Royalty announced

During the first pep fest of the school year, the 2022 OHS Homecoming Royalty was announced. Normally, the Top 12 males and females make up the homecoming royalty. However, this year there was a three way tie in the voting, and 12 males and 13 females make up this year’s royalty. The Top 12 males include: Aidan Charles, Mikah Elstad, Sevy Enter, Nils Gantert, Justin Gleason, Trevor Hiatt, Drew Kretlow, Liam Melgaard, Rohit Poduval, David Smith, Collin Vick and Noah Wellnitz. The Top 13 females include: Ava Eitrheim, Kiara Gentz, Paiton Glynn, Kate Havelka, Makenna Hovey, Ezra Oien, Lileigh Nguyen, Sarah Snitker, Macy Stanton, Abby Vetsch, Allison Wasieleski, Kaitlyn Wasieleski and Lauren Waypa.

These 25 seniors were voted by the entire senior class. Principal Mr. Kory Kath said, “What’s cool about Homecoming royalty is it’s individuals that have connected with their peers, and oftentimes are just immersed in the school culture and climate.” The homecoming royalty involves members of numerous sports teams, clubs, and activities.

Seniors and juniors will now vote for the Top Five with the voting window closing on Tuesday, Sept. 13 at 3:00 p.m. The finalists will be announced next Friday, Sept. 16 during the school day. After that, all grade levels will vote for the Homecoming King and Queen, and the winners will be announced at coronation on Monday, Sept. 26 at 6 p.m. in the OHS Auditorium.

The royalty will be honored and celebrated throughout all of Homecoming week, which runs from Sept. 26 to Oct. 1.

Welcome back pep fest recap

OHS hosted its first pep fest of the year on Friday Sept. 9. At the pep fest captains of fall sports talked about their teams progress in their sport and competed in an egg race. The egg race was a race where each captain raced against the other captains of a different fall sport. The winner of the race was decided by whoever could complete a fifty meter dash 4 times while balancing an egg in a plastic spoon. Ultimately, the football team captains won the race with the boys soccer team captains and the girls soccer team captains coming in a close second and third place. Student council member Kate Sande said, “I think it was a fun event to have because it allowed captains to interact and compete with each other in ways they otherwise wouldn’t.” 

The race had the students laughing and the sense of school spirit was shown.

Also during the Pep Fest, dress up days for Homecoming Week of Sept. 26-Oct. 1  were announced. Monday is Disney Day, Tuesday is Bikers vs. Surfers, Wednesday is Space Jam Day (Jersey Day), Thursday is Movie Star day and Friday is Live in Owatonna (Husky gear).

The pepfest ended with Top 12 announced for Homecoming royalty and top 5 to be announced on Friday, Sept. 16.