As the school year begins in the fall, the arrival of crisp autumn air provokes excitement in most kids and nostalgia in many adults. Between discussions about the semester's first homework assignments and elaborate plans for Halloween parties, teenagers often search for a date to the homecoming dance. Corsages and boutonnieres fill gymnasiums across the country, and crowds flock to the bleachers for the annual football game, but nearly all schools have their own unique traditions to celebrate homecoming. Penn Manor High School is no exception, and its community celebrated homecoming in a variety of ways during the last week of September.

In the weeks leading up to the homecoming football game on Sept. 29, the members of the homecoming court challenged themselves to exceed their duties in academics and extracurriculars alike. Many of the students are enrolled in honors and Advanced Placement classes, play for a school sports team or perform in musical ensemble. This year, the court's candidates were Ava Aslanidis, Olivia Clark, Lauren Daigle, Jireh Ellis, Grace Gerner, Carolyn Hinkle, Anouk Landgraff, Ciana Suydam, Jeremy Andro, Ethan Benne, Gavin Egan, Alexxander Eme, Ben Erb, Tyler Keller, Hector Rodriguez and Dhamir Wesley.

In addition to fulfilling their duties within the school, members of the court have an annual tradition of raising money for a local nonprofit organization. For the past five years, Penn Manor students have chosen to support the Loft Community Partnership in Millersville. This year, the students raised nearly $8,000 and five boxes of canned goods for the organization, which provides various services to those throughout the Penn Manor School District. "In the past, they've chosen Loft Community Partnership because of how it connects to their fellow students," said Janna Ames, adviser of Club Comet Nation/Student Council at the high school. "The organization helps students who are potentially sitting next to them in class or their younger siblings in middle school and elementary school."

During halftime at Penn Manor's football game versus Hempfield High School, Hector Rodriguez and Jireh Ellis were crowned homecoming king and queen, respectively. After a close game, the Penn Manor football team triumphed 23 to 19 over the Black Knights to win custody of a trophy that the two teams compete for annually. The match-up has been nicknamed "The Battle of 462" in reference to the state route that divides the two teams' school districts, and the Comets' victory marks the first time Penn Manor has recovered the trophy in 14 years.

Prior to the homecoming football game and ceremony, students and teachers were encouraged to show their Comet pride through a series of activities. Club Comet Nation/Student Council members handed out small prizes to individuals who dressed themselves according to the spirit week's daily themes, such as donning pajamas for Mellow Monday. On Sept. 27 from 5 to 8 p.m., members of the public were invited to join students and teachers for Fall Fest. The event included an inflatable obstacle course, a bounce house, food trucks, and games and stands operated by school clubs. Penn Manor's spirit week festivities concluded with the homecoming dance on Sept. 30.