UP NEXT: FLYER PRIDE
JEREMY WALTNER – PUBLISHER
Freeman Public will take its turn showing off school spirit when another homecoming comes to town. Freeman’s traditional celebration of “Flyer Pride” will formally begin with coronation next Monday, Sept. 27 beginning at 7 p.m., and conclude on Friday with a noon parade, 3 p.m. football game, pork BBQ to follow and a 9-12 dance to finish off the day.
Coronation will feature the crowning of 2021 royalty; candidates for king are Bradey Kaufman, Jacob Swensen and Justin Wollman, while Ava Ammann, Paige Auch and Lily Wipf are up for queen. This year’s coronation will not include class skits; rather, those will be shared with the student body following a pancake-eating contest that begins Thursday at 8:20 a.m.
Here’s what else you need to know about next week’s homecoming at Freeman Public:
FOOD DRIVE
The school is aiming to collect 1,000 non-perishable food items to be given to the Bethany Food Pantry. Each class will have a designated box in the school library; this is for all classes. The classroom that donates the most items at both the elementary school and middle-high school will be able to select a teacher for a pie-in-the-face. If the 1,000 goal is met, Superintendent Tietje will be on the receiving end of a pie, as well. The competition began this week and will end at 3 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 30.
PARADE: ‘HOLIDAYS’
Because of the afternoon football game, this year’s parade on Friday, Oct. 1 will begin at noon instead of the traditional 1 p.m. start time. All entries should assemble at the corner of Wipf and Second streets near the Freeman Community Center, although the participating marching bands — Freeman and Canistota — will not join the parade until it reaches the corner of Second and Railway near Freeman Lumber Company. The parade will continue south down Main Street, turn east at the Salem Mennonite Home and make its way to Oakview Terrace before turning south on Wipf Street and finishing at the school parking lot. The theme of this year’s parade is “Holidays.”
ALSO FRIDAY …
Students will report to their first-hour class on Friday, Oct. 1, but will spend the morning working on floats. Lunch will not be served and buses will not run; students should bring a sack lunch for an 11 a.m. feeding. Friday’s football game between Canistota/Freeman and Irene-Wakonda begins at 3 p.m. — not 7 p.m. — because a referee shortage is forcing some games to be played in the afternoon on a rotation basis. Oct. 1 happens to be Freeman’s turn.
A pork loin barbecue sponsored by the Freeman High School Music Department will follow the football game inside the high school gym until 7:30 p.m. Serving will begin at 5 p.m.; the menu will include pork loin sandwiches or hot dogs, chips, drinks and homemade bars. All proceeds will benefit the music students planned trip to Orlando in 2023. Modern Woodmen is also matching funds for this fundraiser. All are invited.
Homecoming will conclude with a 9-12 dance in the high school gym from 8 to 11 p.m.
DRESS-UP DAYS
Homecoming wouldn’t be homecoming without dress-up days, something planned at both Freeman Elementary and Freeman Middle/High School. They are as follows:
For grades 6-12:
Monday: Duo day – Dress up like an iconic duo
Tuesday: Holiday – Dress up like your favorite holiday
Wednesday: Frat Boy – Get your fraternity digs on
Thursday: Tye-Day – Splash yourself with a little tye-dye fun
Friday: Spirit Day – Dress up in team colors
For grades K-5
Monday: Pajama Day – Get comfy in some PJs
Tuesday: Holiday – Dress up like your favorite holiday
Wednesday: Career Day – Show us what you want to be
Thursday: Tye-Day – Splash yourself with a little tye-dye fun
Friday: Spirit Day – Dress up in team colors
