After two years of not having a normal school year or even having a homecoming that everyone could attend, students finally get the chance to celebrate.

Gathered in a huddle, the football and cross country team begin their prayer. The goal was to bring closeness to the players, and good luck to win their game later on that night.

“I thought it was awesome, everybody was there supporting the team,” senior Drew Philipp said. “We didn’t get to do it last year so there was a lot of excitement leading up to it.” 

After not having a pep assembly for almost 2 years students got together and cheered on the games with excitement like they did before.

“I think it was nice considering [all that has happened with] COVID. I didn’t think we were gonna have one and it was nice to have that experience for my senior year,” senior McKenzie Hatfield said.

Future Farmers of America is a unique class to the high school. They were able to participate and make a float for the homecoming parade. “We all worked together really well as a team,” junior Hannah Marshall said. 

“Personally, my favorite part of the parade was getting to interact with people in the community and getting to do something together as an official FFA chapter.” 

Starting their run all the way in Saint Charles and running all the way back to Stockbridge, the Cross Country team pushed through to support the school for Homecoming. “Though it was difficult and look a lot of endurance, the Homecoming run was really fun and was great for team building.” senior Ben Chapmen said. 

“Some of us were irritated by the rain, but not everyone. We had to walk all around town in the rain and play our instruments, and we had the ponchos that were in the way,” senior Grace Drier said. “Regardless, we had an amazing time together.” 

They played for the town in the parade, the game, in the bleachers and at halftime for the queens. Through the rain, the band stuck together as a family to perform for their community. 

The pouring rain became a light drizzle as the time on the scoreboard hit 0. The queens began to walk onto the field. Eleven girls stood on the field waiting to hear who won. Finally, over the speakers, they announce Kaitelyn Walker. 

“I had been outside all day with cross country so I was kind of used to the cold,” Walker said. “Being out there in the rain was definitely hard because you know, hair and makeup and all that. But it definitely made me appreciate the fact that I could be there.”

“It feels good to win a game and have success. We didn’t give up, we pushed through and it means a lot to us and our fans,” senior wide receiver and defensive end Jeremy Pilch said. Slipping and sliding on the soaking field all night, they finally took the win against St. Charles High School.