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WACO’s youngest Warriors lead the way in homecoming spirit

CRAWFORDSVILLE — Long before Friday night’s football victory sealed WACO’s homecoming week, it was the youngest Warriors who showed what school pride looks like.

Maggie Meyer's second grade WACO Elementary class show off their Warrior pride. (Photo Courtesy of WACO Elementary)

At WACO Elementary, students embraced each day’s theme with enthusiasm, whether it meant donning beach outfits on Tuesday, swapping roles with teachers on Wednesday, or dressing in patriotic red, white and blue on Thursday.

Krista Hagge's fifth grade class blows bubbles and show their WACO school spirit for homecoming week. (Photo Courtesy of WACO Elementary)

Friday morning the young Warriors arrived to school dressed in WACO gear. With school spirit at an all-time high, the morning began with a high-energy pep rally put on by high school students spreading Warrior Pride.

WACO High School students encourage the growing school spirit of WACO Elementary students with a homecoming pep rally Friday, Sept. 12 before the big game. (Photo Courtesy of WACO Elementary)

The excitement of the day continued for WACO Elementary students as they continued to celebrate being Warriors with a hard-earned PBIS (Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports) prize.

WACO Elementary students play giant Jenga during a PBIS rewards recess. (Photo Courtesy of WACO Elementary)

Students enjoy bubbles during recess on the Friday of homecoming week at WACO Elementary. (Photo Courtesy of WACO Elementary)

After earning 1,550 tickets recess on Friday, Sept. 12 of homecoming week included bubbles, sidewalk chalk, music, and giant Jenga.

“We weren’t surprised when our students met this goal really fast,” the school posted, thanking PBIS coordinator Abbey Shelman and her team for organizing the reward.

WACO High School homecoming court Nick West, Aliyah Graber,
Morgan Leichty, King Raefe Davison, Queen Morgan Meyer and Niles Reichenbach visit WACO Elementary the Friday of homecoming week. (Photo Courtesy of WACO Elementary) — WACO High School homecoming court Nick West, Aliyah Graber,Morgan Leichty, King Raefe Davison, Queen Morgan Meyer and Niles Reichenbach visit WACO Elementary the Friday of homecoming week. (Photo Courtesy of WACO Elementary)

The connection between the high school court and the elementary classrooms did not go unnoticed. By joining assemblies and parades, older Warriors modeled what it means to carry school traditions forward, while younger students showed they were ready to do the same.

Of course school spirit stretched to WACO High School and the rest of the community as Raefe Davison and Morgan Meyer were crowned Homecoming King and Queen at Boom Night, Wednesday, Sept. 10. Davison is the son of Ross and Brittany Davison, while Meyer, the daughter of Tim and Michelle Meyer, also holds the title of 2025 Henry County Fair Queen.

WACO High School student votes for Raefe Davison and Morgan Meyer result in their coronation at Boom Night, Wednesday, Sept. 10. (Photo Submitted)

Boom Night is a WACO tradition that combines pep rally energy with crowd favorites like Powder Puff football and Boom Boom volleyball.

Friday afternoon, WACO Elementary dismissed 15 minutes early so families could make their way to the parade, where floats, music, and community pride lined the streets. The excitement carried into the evening, when the Warriors dominated HLV on the football field, winning 48-7 in a game that triggered a running clock for the entire second half.

Homecoming closed with Saturday’s dance, but for many families, the week’s highlight was watching the youngest students celebrate alongside the high schoolers. The district summed it up best in its posts throughout the week: celebrating the “Warrior Way” which is all about respect, pride, and fun — whether it’s a kindergartner with chalk-stained hands or a senior crowned under the stadium lights.