Croft Family Blog: October 2009

Soooo - at half-time of the football game the Homecoming Royalty are all introduced to the crowd and walk out in pairs. Except of course - - - Kaytee. Her other royal half is the quarterback, so he was the first to run off the field. While the other football players who were in the royal court ran over to get in line - he ran straight into the locker room. So when they announced the junior class royalty - Kaytee came walking out, smiling and waving, all by her lonesome. I was standing next to his mother to take pictures and she seemed a little stunned that her son just didn't show up. Kaytee was very cute about it and said Dane really apologized later that night at the dance.

After half-time, especially since the outcome of the game was never really in question (see previous post), Kaytee went to Chantel's house to get all dolled up for the dance.

Since Kaytee's date isn't quite old enough to drive yet (I know. sounds weird, but this IS Worland) she went and picked him up. After his parents got their share of pictures, they came back to our house so I could take a few. Because she really didn't want to wear a corsage, Jacob gave her some flowers. Then they were off to the dance. She had a good time and came home pretty much right after it ended because her date (only a freshman) had a curfew and was leaving to go hunting with his dad early in the morning. Quite the parent's dream date - way to go Kaytee!

This just in . . . Kaytee Lois Croft is the Junior Class Homecoming Queen

(or whatever they call it!?!) Doesnt she look so royal and benevolent and smiley?

So, when we moved to Worland many years ago we quickly became aware that Homecoming in a small town is quite the production. (Prom is too, but we will save that for a spring posting.) So this post is going to be my effort to remind or inform my "many" readers of the unique joys that come with a Worland Homecoming.

First order of the day is the crowning of the Homecoming Royalty at the Spirit Assembly. Here are Kaytee and the Homecoming Junior Prince/King guy being presented with their crowns, flowers and sashes (actually I guess it is just a rose and a tiara for Kaytee - Poor Dane only gets a sash.)

Then they have to fix their sashes.

Then the games begin. First a competition between the classes to see who has the most spirit (All of this to get our football team fired up for a victory . . . I think.)

This lively relay race required team members to race down the court with a wet sponge on a long string attached to their waist. They then had to use the sponge to extinguish a lit candle. Ten team members had to do this, with the increasingly wet candle needing to be re-lit each time. It was actually quite hilarious. Notice Kaytee's role in all of this - sit on the edge of the court and observe her subjects.

Next were the class skits. I was laughing so hard I forgot to take a picture until they were just finishing up. Here are the seniors from the football team performing "All the Single Ladies".

There was lots of opportunity to cheer and to show how loud and crazy you could be. Again, Kaytee and Dane royally observe from the edge of the court.

After the assembly all of the "Queens" got together for a picture at the request of their volleyball coach. Kaytee, Katelyn and Morgan (the taller ones) all play varsity and Mikala Cruz-Nicklas is on the Freshman team.

After the assembly, EVERY school in town and almost every business shuts down for the Homecoming Parade. Of course the attraction I went to see was Kaytee riding on a convertible.

And here are the Senior King and Queen. I though the wagon was a pretty cool touch but Kaytee said it was just because the convertible they were supposed to be on didn't show up so someone grabbed this last minute. Guess we have the kind of town where old covered (uncovered?) wagons are easier to come by than convertibles.

And no Worland parade would be complete without our marching band.

Or the cool class floats. Here are a bunch of Kaytee's friends on the Junior class float. Kaytee helped build it, but didn't get to ride on it because . . . she is on the convertible with Dane. Here are Ashley, Karsyn, Taylor, Alyssa and Chantel. Isn't it amazing how this much variety of orange and black can exist in a single town.

Of course the parade couldn't end, or even begin, without our local law enforcement. Dad is in the far car representing Homeland Security. Thanks to all of their valiant efforts, no terrorist attacks occurred during the Homecoming Parade.

And here is a better view of the junior class float. In case you haven't spent a lot of time identifying Wyoming wildlife - it is a stork. He is holding a football in hopes that the team can "Deliver a Victory".

Like I said, EVERY school in town lets out. Most watch the parade but a lot of the kids make floats so they can be IN the parade. Look at the next three floats and try and guess which team we are playing in the football game tonight.

You might have guessed the Cody Broncs - like I was tempted too - but it is the Jackson Broncs and "Bite, Boot and Rope the Broncs" we definitely did! We just got home from the football game and when we left it was 36-0, Warriors winning.

The Homecoming Royalty was introduced at half-time and Kaytee and her date just left for the dance so you know what that means - more pictures to come! Stay tuned . .