There was plenty of Raider pride on display in Hastings last week, as homecoming activities took center stage.

Homecoming week kicked off with a themed dress up day on Monday. This year’s theme for the high school on Monday was Monochrome. The Middle School and Elementary schools had sports day where kids dressed in their favorite team gear. Monday night was the first big event, the Powderpuff Football game.

During the Powder Puff Football game, the school collects food and cash donations for Hastings Family Service. This year, they collected over $750 and several hundred pounds of food. The seniors overpowered the freshmen 3416 and the juniors lost a heartbreaker at the buzzer 2018 to the sophomores for the first round of games. In the second round, the seniors came out on top 126 over the sophomores and the juniors beat the freshmen 80.

Tuesday was Country versus Country Club Day for the high school and the middle school had duo/trio day where friends were supposed to match. The elementary school did wackytacky dress up day where nothing was supposed to match.

Wednesday for the high school it was dress like Adam Sandler day, and in the middle school it was dress like a tourist day. For the elementary schools it was beach/tropical day.

Thursday it was PJ Day, and Friday it was blue and gold day for everyone Friday afternoon had the pep rally which included some small games played between the senior court and captains of the fall sports. The winner of the door decorating contest was announced. Cooks’ Choice Ribbon went to Miss Maas. Administrative Assistants’ choice went to Mr. Schmidt. Community Choice Ribbon went to Miss Cardell. Overall winner was Mr. Casperson.

The first Rotary Student of the Month was announced. That honor goes to Heaven Herman. Her story will be published next week after she visits with the Hastings Rotary Club this week.

The Homecoming King and Queen were crowned. King was Keros Chavez, and Queen was Molly Caturia. The pep rally closed with the senior football players dancing with their dates for Saturday’s dance.

Of course, Friday was also the Homecoming football game where Hastings crushed Two Rivers see that story in the Journal Sports section.

Saturday was the allimportant Homecoming Dance. Kids get dressed up and descend on the Hastings High School commons The best part of this year’s Homecoming is everyone made it home safe after all the festivities. Congratulations to all for another successful school event!

The Homecoming King is crowned. Congratulation Keros Chavez! (From left) Max Albertson, Raymond Hartman, Keros Chavez, Danny Millner, Aaron Vandehoef and Pacer Ruble. Photo courtesy of HCTV

The crowning of a queen. Congrats to Molly Caturia, Homecoming Queen! (From left) Natalie Caflisch, Cianna Bernard, Ava Gahler, Emma McClay, Molly Caturia, Sara Meyers, Amber Dawson and Serenity Swanson. Photo courtesy of HCTV.

A huge part of homecoming is the dance on Saturday. This large group of Raiders was ready to go! (Front row, from left) Makayla Berquist, Ava Gahler, Chloe Axelrod, Mara Jackson, Emma Mclay, Averie Amundson, Abby Doffing, Natalie Duerkop, Emma Hagen, Emily Erickson, Clara Mattson and Molly Caturia; (back row) Aaron Herber, Eddie Peine, Rowan Shelhamer, Mitch Iliff, Jackson Schaffer, Danny Millner, Ethan Klaren, Ryan Swanson, Ben Cobbett and Pacer Ruble. Photo courtesy of Melissa Millner.

Mr. Casperson’s Advisory door won the overall trophy for the door decorating contest. Photo courtesy of Hastings Public Schools Social Media

Getting all dressed up and hanging out with a big group of friends before and at the homecoming dance is an important part of growing up for many teens. L to R front row: Emily Dembroski, Eva Greene, Alayna McGraw, Maddie Birk, Nicole McGraw, Mary Stromen, Ava Davidson, Kiley Marik, Lauren Jenkins, Clara Birken, Grace Gerlach, Jackie Anderson Back row: Treysen Tessier, Cade Kimmes, Al Hendrickson, Blake Vandehoef, Connor Zgoda, Jack Seleski, John Teigland, Sawyer Zaruba, Sawyer Tjomsland. Photo submitted.