Monday
To kick off Orono’s 2013 Homecoming week, the student body took part in their traditional twin day. The halls were filled with look-alikes in all sorts of costumes. Not only did students participate in the dress up day, but teachers as well, were seen dressing alike. At the end of the day, coronation was held. Crowned as Homecoming King and Queen were seniors Ben Turnham and Paige Broghammer. Later that night, the girls soccer team went on to win 6-0 against Hutchinson.

Tuesday
On day two of Homecoming week, half of the student body was absent due to seniors and juniors attending the College Fair at the Convention Center in downtown Minneapolis. This event gave Orono students a chance to introduce themselves to college representatives and learn more about the colleges they are thinking about applying to. This year, the seniors chose to bring back beach day, although they were unable to participate in it. The sophomores and freshmen continued to dress up, sporting Hawaiian shirts and floaties.

Wednesday
Wednesday was the craziest day of Homecoming Week. The day started off early with the annual hallway decorating competition. Each grade decorated their floor in their class color. This year, the junior’s came out on top of the hallway decorating competition with their theme, Minnesota Vikings, highlighting their color choice: purple. During Spartan Hour, the student body gathered in the gym to watch the 2013 Class Competition. Events included pickle spitting, licorice kiss, a pillow fight, a pie-eating contest, and the tug-of-war. Seniors came out on top with juniors taking second, freshman third, and the sophomores finishing last. Wednesday night’s event was the Powder Puff football game. Junior and senior girls played a game of football on the turf, with their male classmates cheering them on dressed up as cheerleaders. The seniors won 28-14.

Thursday
Students went all-out Thursday’s Prep vs. Punk day. The preppy kids dressed in cable-knit sweaters, ties and skirts while the punks dressed in army jackets, dark makeup and flannel shirts. The variety show was also a hit with new musical acts from sophomore Elena Calderon and sophomore music trio Joey Delaney, John Lensing, and David McCuskey. Freshman Graham Bull and his yo-yo and senior Alex St. Dennis with his back-up dancers were both popular returning acts. Girl’s tennis played in their conference tournament where senior Maddie Parrott, junior Zoe Lindbloom, and sophomore McKenzie Gill were named all-conference players. The girl’s swim and dive team out-swam Hutchinson while the boys soccer team beat Totino Grace 1-0. The girls soccer team tied 1-1 to Totino Grace.

Friday
Friday, Spartan Spirit Day, was filled with red, white and blue all day. High school, middle school and elementary school students and staff gathered at 1:00 to watch the 3rd annual Homecoming Parade. Student clubs and sports, as well as each high school class, had their own float in the parade. Students, staff, parents and members of the community came out to celebrate homecoming week. Following the parade, the entire district went to the stadium for the pep fest. This was the first year that the entire district attended the pep fest. The pep fest consisted of updates from sports captains, a performance by both the homecoming court and the Orono dance team, as well as cheers lead by seniors. Friday night, members of the district came down to Pesonen Stadium to watch the football team play against the Delano Tigers. The Spartans lost to Delano 28-6.

Saturday
Saturday marked the final day of Orono homecoming week. Girls began their preparation for the Homecoming dance early in the morning, whereas most of the boys were dressed and ready for pictures within fifteen minutes. For most groups, the night consisted of taking group pictures, going out to dinner, making an appearance at the school dance, and then attending an after-party at someone’s house. The dance itself was set up by the freshman senate members, and the music set list was created and mixed by sophomore Joey Delaney.

Katie Berrell is the News Editor for The Spartan Speaks.
Jack Ellis is the Layout Editor for The Spartan Speaks.