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WASHINGTON — The orange and black of Washington High School painted every corner of town last week. From the laughter echoing through powder puff games to the sound of the marching band filling the crisp autumn air, Homecoming week carried the familiar rhythm of pride and tradition.

Washington High School's dance team perfrom at the Wednesday night pep rally and coronation art the high school auditorium. (AnnaMarie Kruse/The Union) — Washington High School's dance team perform at the Thursday night pep rally and coronation art the high school auditorium. (AnnaMarie Kruse/The Union)

But beneath the cheers and celebration, something deeper stirred in the heart of the community. Just days before the festivities began, Washington senior and athlete Carson Ryan died in a hunting accident. His death could have cast a shadow over a week usually marked by joy and togetherness. Instead, it became the thread that wove the community even closer.

The Washington High School dance team form the number 8-0 in memory of recently departed classmate Carson Ryan at the Wednesday night pep rally. (AnnaMarie Kruse/The Union) — The Washington High School dance team form the number 8-0 in memory of recently departed classmate Carson Ryan at the Thursday night pep rally. (AnnaMarie Kruse/The Union)

“It has been a hard week,” senior Maya Bruty said at Friday’s pep rally. “Monday was really hard, but we turned it around for the better, not that we can’t be sad anymore, but we’re there for each other.”

Around her, the Washington Square buzzed with the same mixture of excitement, sorrow and strength.

Throughout the week, students decorated lockers, painted signs, and cheered at every chance they could. They dressed up for theme days, played powder puff football, and competed in the traditional boys’ volleyball game. Each moment felt like a step toward healing and one small act of joy in a week that demanded both laughter and tears.

Miles Keir and Gehrig Widmer wave their clappy hands and excitedly share about Homecoming week following the Friday, Oct. 3 homecoming parade through downtown Washington. (AnnaMarie Kruse/The Union)

At Stewart Elementary, the youngest Demons got their own piece of the celebration when cheerleaders and band members brought the pep rally to the playground during recess. Kindergartners Miles Keir and Gehrig Widmer grinned from ear to ear as the band marched past during the homecoming parade, Friday, Oct. 3.

“The band came to school with flags, songs and instruments,” Miles said.

In middle school, the excitement echoed just as loud with many seventh grade football players saying the pep rallies were their favorite part of homecoming week.

Cael Schneider, Ryder Vittetoe, Pryce Sobaski, and Jaxon Rogers gear up to cheer on the Demons at the homecoming football game against fairfield. (AnnaMarie Kruse/The Union) — Cael Schneider, Ryder Vittetoe, Pryce Sobaski, and Jaxon Rogers gear up to cheer on the Demons at the Homecoming football game against Fairfield. (AnnaMarie Kruse/The Union)

“I really enjoy celebrating with everybody,” Pryce said.

When asked about the best part of football games, Pryce continued his thought and said, “Getting to hang out with family and friends.”

In a year like this one, his answer carried more weight than he might have realized.

That feeling, of being part of something larger, was everywhere.

“Everyone getting together,” said senior Taylor Miksch, describing what stood out to her most about this year’s Homecoming. “I’ve noticed it a lot in our class.”

Washington seniors Taylor Miksch and Maya Bruty appreciate how their class ahs come together during a difficult time this homecoming. (AnnaMarie Kruse/The Union)

On Thursday, Oct. 2 the high school auditorium was filled with family, friends, neighbors, and students for the Homecoming pep rally and coronation. The band’s brass rang off the walls, cheerleaders shouted chants, and parents filled the seats with orange and black shirts.

Washington High School's marching band performs at the Wednesday night pep rally and coronation. (AnnaMarie Kruse/The Union) — Washington High School's marching band performs at the Thursday night pep rally and coronation. (AnnaMarie Kruse/The Union)

The room filled with the fight song and loud cheers.

After a brief intermission from Homecoming cheers, the red curtains on the auditorium stage began to open. Three chairs sat at the center of the stage. On one rested the queen’s crown and robe. On another, the king’s. And on the third, placed gently beneath the bright stage lights, sat Carson Ryan’s football jerseys, his athlete’s Bible, and a vase of roses.

Three chairs sit on the stage. One for this year's queen. One for this year's king. And one for Carson Ryan. (AnnaMarie Kruse/The Union)

The crowd fell silent.

Carson Ryan's multiple sport's jerseys and athlete Bible sit on a chair during coronation at Washington High School's 2025 homecoming pep rally. (AnnaMarie Kruse/The Union) — Carson Ryan's multiple sport's jerseys and athlete’s Bible sit on a chair during coronation at Washington High School's 2025 Homecoming pep rally. (AnnaMarie Kruse/The Union)

Then came the moment that would define the week. After the announcement of Iris Dahl as Homecoming Queen, the crowd cheered and Dahl smiled, holding back tears. But as the next name was read, every person in the room rose to their feet.

Iris Dahl excitedly places her crown on her own head as the 2025 Washington High School Homecoming Queen. (AnnaMarie Kruse/The Union)

Carson Ryan was named Homecoming King.

A large poster of Carson sat in the king’s chair beside Iris. For a long moment, the auditorium filled with the sound of applause. Many wiped away tears.

Iris Dahl sits beside a photo of Carson Ryan as 2025 homecoming royalty accompanied by junior attendants and king court members. (AnnaMarie Kruse/The Union) — Iris Dahl sits beside a photo of Carson Ryan as 2025 Homecoming royalty accompanied by junior attendants and court members. (AnnaMarie Kruse/The Union)

“It was exciting to know that I impacted people enough that they wanted to vote for me,” Dahl said.

While she didn’t expect to be crowned queen, she wasn’t surprised to hear Ryan’s name announced.

“And yeah, I voted for Carson,” she said. “I thought it was really cool.”

Homecoming Queen Iris Dahl takes a photo with the memorial for Homecoming King Carson Ryan. (AnnaMarie Kruse/The Union)

When asked how the week felt, Dahl responded with a smile and tears in her eyes.

“I’ve really seen God move in our school,” she said. “I’ve seen lots of kids coming together and come closer to Christ, too. I think that’s exactly what Carson would have wanted. I think that’s the impact he had as a person, and it’s just showing through him even after he’s gone.”

Students fill the upper section of the Washington High School Auditorium for Wednesday's homecoming rally. (AnnaMarie Kruse/The Union) — Students fill the upper section of the Washington High School Auditorium for Thursday's homecoming rally. (AnnaMarie Kruse/The Union)

As the week went on, that faith became a source of strength. Assistant football coach Nic Williams led the crowd in prayer, his words heavy with emotion and hope at the Friday pep rally in the square following the parade.

“God, sometimes things happen and we’re unsure of what our next steps should be,” he said. “We’re facing a Goliath of our own right now. We can’t do it on our own. We need You today, tomorrow, and every day until we’re called home to You.”

Assistant Washington Football Coach Nick Williams prays with and for the football team at the Friday pep rally before the big game. (AnnaMarie Kruse/The Union) — Assistant Washington Football Coach Nic Williams prays with and for the football team at the Friday pep rally before the big game. (AnnaMarie Kruse/The Union)

Coach Kelly Williams stepped to the microphone and looked out over the crowd of students, alumni, and families — generations of Demons gathered for this year’s homecoming.

“Welcome to Homecoming,” he said. “It is awesome to see the orange and black. We’re all here to celebrate what makes Demons so special. Homecoming is remembering who you are, where you’re from, and what brings us together. It’s more than just a football game or a parade — it reminds us that we are all family.”

Coach Kelly Williams thanks all those in the community for their support during this difficult time. (AnnaMarie Kruse/The Union)

When the lights of Case Field flickered on Friday night, the stadium was already full. The players jogged onto the field in a sea of orange and black donning Carson Ryan’s number, 80.

Family, friends, and My Little Ones daycare kids hang out on the corner waiting for the homecoming parade to begin. (AnnaMarie Kruse/The Union)

The game itself was almost secondary. The crowd stood not just for football, but for each other — for a class that had found light in a week of heartbreak, for a town that had turned grief into unity, and for a young man whose life left a mark too large to fade.

Washington High School marching band plays the school fight song one more time before the Demons hit the field against Fairfield for homecoming. (AnnaMarie Kruse/The Union)

By the time the final whistle blew, the Washington community had shown what it means to be a family — one that celebrates together, grieves together, and always finds a way to stand back up.

Coach Williams’ words from the pep rally still echoed in many minds as people left the stadium that night.

“This week has shown us what family means and the bonds that we share,” he said. “We are never on this journey alone.”

And under the lights, surrounded by friends, neighbors, and classmates — it was clear they weren’t.