By Brad Bergstrom

AHS Principal

On Sept. 6, Austin High School welcomed about 1,250 students through its doors, including the Class of 2015. As is the case most every year, not long after the students were back in the building their conversations moved to discussing one of the most exciting times of the fall at Austin High School: Homecoming.

Homecoming 2011 is celebrated during the week of Sept. 19. There was a number of activities taking place throughout the week for all students to participate in. The fun and festivities got started with a PepFest and Fashion Show on Friday, Sept. 16 in Packer Gym. During the program, students saw the various ways they can dress each day during Homecoming Week to show school spirit and the Homecoming Court was announced as well.

The Annual Powder Puff football games kicked off the week’s festivities with the games being played on Art Hass Field at the Wescott Sports Complex last Sunday at 5 p.m. The next event that took place during Homecoming Week is the Homecoming Coronation, where Jacob Crosby and Babaye Oja were crowned king and queen on Wednesday, Sept. 21.

On Thursday, Sept. 22 Austin High School hosted two very special celebrations. First is the 10th Annual Distinguished Alumni Assembly. The program began at 9:30 a.m. and took place in Knowlton Auditorium. The second major celebration of the day is the seventh Annual Battle of the Connects. This is a great afternoon of fun for the students and staff at Austin High School. Students compete by grade level with their Connect (Homeroom or Advisory Class) in a variety of different events including two different obstacle courses, a tug-o-war, pin guard, and other events too numerous to mention. Points are awarded to each class depending upon their finish in the events and the class with the most points is awarded the trophy. In addition, points are also awarded for sportsmanship based upon the pillars of Character Counts. The winner of the Battle of the Connects will be announced at the Pep Fest on Friday, Sept. 23.

Friday, Sept. 23, continues to be a very busy day at Austin High School. There will be a Pep Fest at 2:30 p.m. to be followed by the Homecoming Parade. The route for the parade this year will be different due to the construction on Main Street. The parade will be starting out on second Avenue by the high school, moving east towards First Street, then moving north to Fifth Avenue, west on Fifth Avenue to the Wescott Sports Complex. The parade will start at 3:30 p.m. and we want to invite everyone to come and watch as it is usually a great time for all. Finally on Friday, there is the football game at 7 p.m. against the Mankato East Cougars. Feel free to come to the game early and tailgate with a number of Packer football fans. Hamburger and/or hotdog meals can be purchased before the game as well.

The final event to wrap up Homecoming Week is the Homecoming Dance. The dance will be held on Saturday, Sept. 24 from 8:30 to 11:30 p.m. Tickets purchased in advance are $4 and are $5 if purchased at the door on Saturday night. Students who are bringing dates that don’t attend Austin High School will need to sign up their dates two days before the dance and all AHS students are asked to bring their student ID cards in order to get in.

Homecoming Week is wonderful week for AHS staff, students, and the Austin community. If your schedule permits and you would like to attend some or all of the many events taking place at AHS or Wescott Complex, we invite you to be there. If you have any questions about the various events taking place during Homecoming Week at Austin High School, please contact the high school at 460-1800 and as always, Go Packers!