By Chris Spangler
Fort Atkinson High School students and staff got into the homecoming spirit Friday afternoon with a pep rally and parade.
The parade, which started on Campus Drive and wound its way around the school to Jones Dairy Farm Stadium, marked the first since before the COVID-19 pandemic. The pep rally followed at the football field, where the Blackhawks face the Mount Horeb Vikings at 7 tonight.
The homecoming dance is slated for 8 p.m. Saturday at the school.
During the pep rally, seniors Marcus Tesch and Reagan Horwath were crowned homecoming king and queen, respectively.
Also on the court are seniors Ava Stedman, Domanic Hurd, Rebecca Christ, Alex Block, Andi Spies and Cam Haagensen; juniors Mackenzie Cramlet and Matthew Ketterhagen; sophomores Tori Edwards and Carter Lemke; and freshmen Mia Oakley and Ollie Evans.
In addition to the royal coronation, music by the marching band and shout-outs to all students involved in extracurricular activities and clubs, the pep rally featured a variety of games. Among them were a tug-o-war, worm race, hotdog eating contest, a “dizzy race,” “Name That Tune” and “What’s in My Backpack?”
The dance team members presented their homecoming program, and later were joined by football team players in a number.
Tonight’s game caps a week of homecoming activities, which included dress-up days, a talent show, powder puff football game and the Blackhawk Carnival.
Photos from Friday’s activities follow.
Chris Spangler photos unless otherwise indicated.
Fort Atkinson High School seniors and 2023 Homecoming King Marcus Tesch and Queen Reagan Horwath receive their crowns during a pep rally held Friday. Contributed photo.
Members of the 2023 Homecoming Court gather. They are, not in pictured order, freshmen representatives Mia Oakley and Ollie Evans; sophomore representatives, Tori Edwards and Carter Lemke; junior representatives, Mackenzie Cramlet and Matthew Ketterhagen, and senior representatives, Ava Stedman, Queen Reagan Horwath, King Marcus Tesch, Rebecca Christ, Alex Block, Andi Spies and Cam Haagensen. Senior representative Domanic Hurd is not pictured. Contributed photo.
Fifth-graders from Barrie Elementary School await the high school’s homecoming parade along Campus Drive.
Parade spectators cheer on the high school juniors with a “Junior Nation” sign along the parade route.
The high school band’s drumline sets the beat for the homecoming parade.
Members of the dance team march in the parade.
One of several vehicles transport members of the Fort Atkinson High School homecoming court during Friday’s parade.
Students toss candy to homecoming parade spectators from an “ESPN” float.
Two photos above: Performing arts students ride in a float, as well as walk in the homecoming parade, tossing candy to spectators.
The band plays — and sings — “Oh, Baby!”
Football players show their strength in a tug-o-war at the homecoming pep rally.
As the band plays, seniors show their school spirit.
Two photos above: Football players join the dance team for some moves, including a kick line.
Contestants slither toward the finish line in the worm race.
Two photos above: Audience members cheer on their contestant as representatives of each grade and the faculty try to eat the most hotdogs in two minutes.
Contestants spin around baseball bats before running toward the finish line.
High school principal Leigh Ann Scheuerell places the homecoming court crown on Queen Reagan Horwath’s head after crowning King Marcus Tesch.
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