Hershey Public School Homecoming 2024 was full of spirit and festivities. The week kicked off with the high school beginning work on their class floats for the homecoming parade and the junior high students decorating the main hallway! The theme for HOCO 2024 was "Adventure Awaits" The 7th grade decorated in a jungle theme while the 8th grade decorated in a sea and land theme. On the floats, the 9th grade class went with a hunting theme, the 10th grade class went with a beach theme, the 11th grade class went with a safari theme, and the senior class went all in on the pirate theme! The week also was highlighted by very spirited dress up days! Monday was "PJ Day", Tuesday was "Country vs Country Club, Wednesday was "Dynamic Duo", Thursday was "Famous People" and the week was capped on Friday with "Spirit Day".
This year HPS attempted having a homecoming parade followed by a pep rally in the new Activities Center. It was an event the community and the entire PK-12 student body took part in. The band led off by heralding the school fight song to indicate the start of the parade. This was followed by the Hershey Cheer team, Dazzlers, and Sparklers walking and providing a short dance at a couple of points in the route. Next was the homecoming royalty and court in separate trucks. Finally, the grade level floats came down Lincoln Ave and ended the parade at Hershey Public Schools. The community and student body then transitioned into the Activities Center for the homecoming pep rally organized by the Hershey Cheer Team.
The action then transitioned to the football game versus Gordon-Rushville out at Summers Field. The action in the first half was fast and furious and the game went into the half with the Panthers holding a 40-24 advantage. The Dazzlers and Sparklers followed with high energy and electric moves and the Panther Pride Marching Band was in fine form! It was also announced at halftime that the 9th grade class received runner up and the 12th grade class were the float winners. Additionally, it was voted that the 7th grade class defeated the 8th grade class in the hallway decorating contest! In the second half, the Panther defense continued to play tough and Hershey held on for a 40-30 homecoming win!
Following the game, the Homecoming Royalty and Court were presented. Hershey’s Homecoming Court for 2024 were Freshmen attendants Sophie Winter and Korbyn Herrick, Sophomore attendants Payton Jones and Houston Hill, and Junior attendants Clare Denny and Rhys Edelman. The Senior Royalty this year were Katie Abbott, Emma Elliott, Alysa Quiroga, Zoe Schmitt, Jordan Arensdorf, Ethan Elliott, Charlie Koch, and Ezra McConnell. The Homecoming Queen and King for 2024 was Katie Abbott and Charlie Koch.
To conclude the week the students attended a very spirited the Homecoming Dance on Saturday night, from 8-11:00 at Hershey High School.
Hershey Public Schools would like to thank STUCO and Mrs. Pettera for all their hard work in the planning and execution of homecoming week, the class sponsors for the time and effort put in with the hallways and floats, the Hershey Cheer team for their organization of the parade and pep rally, HPS staff and students for their participation in the spirit of homecoming week , and the Hershey custodial staff for their work all week in keeping the facilities clean and looking great for homecoming week! It was a great week of celebration and excitement here in Hershey and we are grateful and thankful for all the support of Hershey Public Schools!