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WMU names Thomson and Kann king and queen
Not all homecoming traditions appreciated by community
Southeast Iowa Union offers audio versions of articles using Instaread. Some words may be mispronounced.
WINFIELD — Homecoming week kicked off Sunday, Sept. 14 with Boom Night, when junior royalty Javin Kellogg and Kallie Gaither kept tradition alive by crowning this year’s king and queen, Bowen Thomson and Ella Kann.
The symbolic passing of the crown carried with it a mix of honor and pride.
For Bowen, it capped off a season where his classmates’ respect was as clear as his appearance on the Honor Roll.
For Ella, the title added another highlight to a busy year of accomplishments — from her award-winning art to her performances in volleyball, softball, golf, band, dance, and speech. Earlier this year, she earned second place in painting at the Youth Art Month showcase in Des Moines, and she has already set her sights on studying Art Education after graduation.
Homecoming week for Winfield-Mt. Union brings together everything that makes small-town celebrations special: decorated hallways, themed dress-up days, a pep assembly, a parade and the energy of Friday night football.
Tradition doesn’t stop at the school doors.
Around Winfield students carried on the practice of TPing houses — a long-standing homecoming ritual. But this year, the conversation shifted after some recipients of the toilet-papered lawns would be unable to clean up the symbol of school spirit.
Jessica Kruse described how one home, belonging to someone just out of the hospital and battling cancer, was wrapped in toilet paper in a way that blocked access to the porch.
“This is the last thing they need to deal with! DO BETTER!” Kruse urged in a post to the Winfield Community Facebook page.
Her frustration sparked a wider reflection with opinions ranging from approval to frustration and many in between.
Tara Van Amerongen supports TPing, however, feels it should be done to the homes of friends or teachers, not random homes.
“I miss homecoming week,” Kathy Woodsmall Mullin commented on the topic. “We would always catch the kids and let them TP.”
She shared that when she was in school, the tradition shifted from TPing opposing teams or people that students disliked, they began TPing people they liked. It became an honor of sorts.
Susan and Cheryl Beard, however, did not feel honored when they found toilet paper covering their front yard.
Others, like Berta Rickey, pointed out the importance of cleanup.
“I realize it isn't as much fun, but some homeowners are not up to the task of the clean up,” Rickey said.
With Sunday’s Boom Night marking the start of a packed schedule, many hope the rest of the week will be filled with respectful school spirit that brings the community together.
WMU seniors set the tone for community as they appeared in matching blue shirts for volleyball, a dance team performance, powder puff football, and coronation. Throughout the week, students will continue expressing their school spirit with dress up days including Spirit Day this Friday, Sept. 19.
Friday will wrap the homecoming festivities with a pep assembly, the Wolves’ showdown against the Wayne Falcons, and the homecoming dance.
When Bowen Thomson adjusted his crown and Ella Kann knelt beside Kallie Gaither in the WMU gym filled with community, the moment wasn’t just about this year’s Homecoming king and queen. It was about a community proud of its students and traditions, well, most of them.
Comments: AnnaMarie.Kruse@southeastiowaunion.com
