Every year, the arrival of autumn signifies the return of numerous community traditions and the start of another school year. Amid discussions about the semester's first homework assignments and elaborate plans for Halloween parties, many teenagers begin their quest to find 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 methods of celebrating homecoming. This year, Solanco High School commenced its annual homecoming festivities by introducing a few new traditions to the community.

Normally, Solanco High School crowns its homecoming queen during the football game, which this year was Oct. 13, and the king is crowned the following day at the annual dance. Members of the school's Student Senate planned to shake things up this year by crowning the king at the powderpuff game. The game, which pits junior girls against senior girls, was slated for Oct. 7 to kick off the start of spirit week. However, due to inclement weather, the powderpuff game was rescheduled for Oct. 17, and Austin Galbreath and Caroline Lantz were crowned homecoming king and queen, respectively, at the Oct. 13 football game. The Student Senate decided to change the day of the crowning to allow the homecoming king's family members and friends outside the school to attend the ceremony; as the dance is a closed school event, only students are able to attend.

As is tradition, the members of the homecoming court began to arrive at the stadium prior to the game's crowning ceremony, but the candidates made an unusual entrance this year. Each couple was challenged to enter the stadium by any means other than walking, and the students devised creative alternatives that included a bicycle, a stroller and a wheelchair. The football game itself entailed a fierce match-up between the two teams, but the Golden Mules gained the upper hand in the third quarter to seize a 48-27 win over the Daniel Boone Area High School Blazers.

During the game, members of the Student Senate collected donations for Unite for HER, a nonprofit organization that provides gift boxes for those who are currently undergoing cancer treatment. The boxes include items such as special lotion to treat radiation burns and coupons for massage parlors.

Prior to the football game, students showed their school pride by dressing up for spirit week, and each day of the week was assigned its own theme. The themes, which were selected by members of the Student Senate, included Country Club Tuesday, Barbie and Ken Wednesday and Soccer Mom and Barbecue Dad Thursday. On Friday, the student body was encouraged to wear black and gold to conclude spirit week.

"The ultimate goal is to get more school spirit and community support around the high school," said Carol Graybeal, adviser for the Student Senate. "We're hoping we can continue the new traditions next year."