As educational trends come and go, one thing that remains constant is the tradition of Homecoming and all the festivities and recognition that accompany it. This occasion is just on the horizon for the faculty, staff, and students of Emanuel County Institute. To get the excitement kicked off, high school students recently voted on representatives for their respective classes to serve on this year’s Homecoming Court. Among this special group are the seniors who will vie for the title of Homecoming King and Queen. Representatives include from (top row) l-r; Charlie Rehberg, O’Zion Reese, Evan Donaldson, Aden McQuaig, and Jack Walden. Followed by (bottom row) l-r; Dhahami Salgado, Haley Patel, La’Tyra Stone, Asia Gibbons, and Jarei Oglesby. Junior representatives include; Kayanna Thompson, Halli Kate Johnson, Michaela Barquet, and Clorinda Carrillo. Sophomore representatives consist of; Brooklyn Dorsey, Madison Walker, Erin Stanford, and Lola Walden. Rounding out the court are freshmen representatives; Mary Katherine Durden, Chailey Whitehead, Aniston O’Dell, and Jlynn Hicks.
Despite being held during the week of the Labor Day holiday, students will be able to enjoy taking part in dress up days that coincide with the theme of “I Love the 80s.” By rocking an 80s ensemble, mirroring their favorite 80s movie or cartoon character, and flashing back to retro ECI spirit wear, the week will be filled with taking a trip back in time to the decade that most of the faculty either grew up in or were born in! Our community is also invited to take part in the festivities by attending the public pep rally that will be held on Tuesday, September 5 from 5:30-7:30 in the pecan orchard adjacent to the new gym. In years past, bonfires were a part of this tradition and carrying on with such will be the “official bonfire lighter” who is in charge of initiating the blaze at 7:00. This new role will be filled by Mayor Matt Donaldson, and every subsequent year the torch will be passed on (literally and figuratively) to the next proud bulldog supporter. The bonfire will be situated in the parking lot of Rountree Stadium under careful watch of the Twin City Volunteer Fire Department. Parents can bring their kids out to meet some of our student athletes, enjoy games and activities, and toss their plans for cooking dinner away by purchasing items at a food truck that will be on site! To close out the celebration, the community will enjoy performances by the varsity and junior varsity cheerleaders as well as the ECI Spirit of the Dawgs Marching Band! The annual parade will happen on Friday morning at 9:30. The usual route will be followed beginning at the ECI tennis courts and around the loop for the viewing pleasure of the bulldog pups at Twin City Elementary. The most anticipated moment for the majority of Graymont and Summit townsfolk will culminate at 7:30 Friday night at Rountree Stadium as our bulldogs take on the Fighting Irish from Dublin. The Homecoming Court presentation will commence during halftime where a new king and queen will be crowned. Finally, high school students will be able to enjoy ending this momentous week with a Homecoming dance on Saturday night. This is put on as a fundraiser by the school’s One Act Play group and will roll right along with the 80s theme as well. As you can tell, this next week will be full of moments that help make this such an exciting time to be a student at ECI! We would love to thank our administration for helping make these days in years past and those in the future such memorable times for all of the students at our school! As always, Go Dawgs!
