Star-Journbal Editor
Homecoming parade floats urged the Hillsboro Trojan football team to "Maul the Black Bears," and to "Mall the Black Bears." And on the roof of a parade car there was a stuffed bear in a brown paper bag, with a sign imploring the team, of course, to "Sack the Bears."
These suggestions to chop and, apparently, shop, the visiting Sterling team into submission were taken seriously.
A few hours after the parade, the Trojans made life unbearable for Sterling, running away with a 46-6 victory. The score might've been even more lopsided, but the "mercy rule" was invoked, keeping the clock running continuously in the second half.
Which was just as well, considering. By the end of the game, the only question left for homebound Hillsboro fans was, "Would you like paper or plastic for your bear meat?"
Long after the meat is gone from the freezer, this past week will be one that Hillsboro High School seniors will remember.
Should memories fade in years to come, this account, if preserved, on its yellowed pages will bring Homecoming 2006 cheerfully to mind.
Readers will remember how the candidates for homecoming king and queen were announced at an all-school assembly on the preceding Friday.
And how some of the teachers tried to stump the student body with clues as to who the candidates were. But it wasn't much of a mystery who would be chosen, because the seniors nominated from their peers.
Queen candidates were: Ashley Stout, Amanda Bartel, Jenny Whisenhunt, Kelsie Penner, Megan Peachey, and Lauryn Mayfield.
King candidates were: Lucas Hamm, Troy Frick, Adam Dirks, Tyler Kaufman, Michael Suderman, and Daniel Berg.
A week later, on Homecoming Day, Hillsboro residents awoke to howling south winds, chilly temperatures, and cloudy skies that could've brought rain.
Cheerleaders getting ready for school were trying to decide whether to wear turtleneck collars and tights.
Then, right on cue, the winds grew calm and the sun broke through, just in time for a picture postcard parade.
Police cars and fire engines led the way, followed by the Trojan Marching Band, king and queen candidates, and the floats.
The parade stopped in the middle of town, where hundreds of Hillsboro residents, including students from the elementary and middle schools, lined the sidewalks and sat in the streets at the intersection of Main Street and Grand Avenue.
Cheerleaders shook metallic pompons that dazzled in the afternoon sun, as the band played the school fight song.
After a few more cheers, including one in which petite junior cheerleader, Meghan Jost, stood high above the pavement atop a human pyramid; it was time to pass the microphone to head football coach Len Coryea.
He said the team was loaded for bear. Senior football player Michael Suderman agreed, but added it would take teamwork.
The fervor gave way to hilarity as a group of boys, including Travis Riesen, Darren Enns, Daniel Berg, Brett McIntosh, Caleb Barkman, Max Thiel, Radock Kocialkowski, Josh Kenny, Tyler Suderman, Alex Nuss, Tyler Kaufman, Troy Frick, Michael Suderman, Adam Dirks, Darcy Unrau, and Aaron Stepanek, joined the cheerleaders in a somewhat choreographed and brief dance routine.
Spirit sticks were awarded to winners of homecoming week dress-up day activities.
Brett McIntosh and Lora Andrews won Western Day on Monday; Gavin Serene and Megan Peachey won Jersey Day on Tuesday; Jerrod Rogers and Dakota Peterson won Gender Day; and Becky Steketee and Cody Blackketter won Crazy Sock and Tie Day on Thursday.
On Friday, top prize for its "Maul the Black Bears" parade float went to the junior class. The sophomore float was second, and the seniors' took third.
Friday also was Maroon and Gold Day. That spirit stick can be claimed by everyone who calls themselves a Hillsboro Trojan.
Candidates
promenade
before game
The homecoming crowning ceremony, held in front of the grandstands before the game, was emceed by Hillsboro High School teacher Bob Woelk, who wrote the following script for the event:
Good evening and welcome to the 2006 Hillsboro High School homecoming crowning ceremony.
Tonight's first queen candidate is Amanda Bartel, daughter of Marlin and Cheryl Bartel. Amanda has been active in FFA, Leo Club, the Trinity First youth group, and has participated in softball and tennis.
In her free time, Amanda enjoys drawing, baking and being with friends and family. She plans to attend college and pursue a career in art and design. Amanda's escort this evening is Troy Frick, son of Curtis and Clara Frick.
Troy has been a member of the football team for four seasons, played basketball and baseball, has participated in Mennonite Brethren Youth, Fellowship of Christian Athletes, and H-Club.
Troy plans to attend college after graduation, but has yet to decide where.
Our second queen candidate for 2006 is Lauryn Mayfield, daughter of Dale and Lisa Mayfield.
Cheerleading, track, FCA, and LYF are activities Lauryn has participated in. She fills her spare time with family, friends, a boyfriend, shopping, drawing, and watching movies.
Lauryn plans to attend Eric Fisher's School of Cosmetology in Wichita following graduation.
Lauryn's escort is Daniel Berg, son of Steven and Sandra Berg. Daniel has been active in STUCO, where he is 2006-07 president, and has participated in band, baseball, basketball and scholar's bowl. His plans include attending college, and his favorite high school memory is spending time his junior year in Mr. Unruh's LS.
Third on our list of 2006 queen candidates is Megan Peachey, daughter of Lowell and Rita Peachey.
Megan is a member of the National Honor Society as well as Trinity First youth group, and has been a member of Leos. She has participated in basketball, cross country, and track, and enjoys spending time with friends and family; roller-blading, listening to music, cooking, and working in her free time.
Megan plans to attend a college and has narrowed her choices down to those not located in Hillsboro.
Michael Suderman is escorting Megan this evening. His parents are David and Connie Suderman.
Michael is an H-Club member and has participated in football and track as well as basketball, peer helpers, and SNC.
He plans to play football in college and pursue a career in sports medicine.
Our next queen candidate is Kelsie Penner, daughter of Doug and Jeanne Penner. Kelsie has belonged to FFA, National Honor Society, and United Methodist Youth Group.
She has also participated in track and Leos. She plans to attend Kansas State University next fall and occupies her spare time with friends and family, going for walks or going shopping.
Kelsie is escorted by Tyler Kaufman, son of Kenton and Nancy Kaufman.
Tyler has not yet decided on a college, but he hopes to compete in triple jump.
He has played football all four years and has participated in basketball, track, H-Club, FFA, National Honor Society and TFY.
Ashley Stout is the next candidate for queen. Ashley's parents are Chad and Barbara Nowak and Douglas and Ruth Stout.
She has taken part in track, FCA, LYF and National Honor Society. Ashley likes to spend time with her friends, boyfriend and family, and enjoys working on art projects.
She plans to major in business and become rich after graduation.
Lucas Hamm, son of Jim and Myrna Hamm, is Ashley's escort. Lucas has been active in football, basketball, baseball, FFA, H-Club, STUCO and National Honor Society during his high school career.
He plans to play football or basketball in college, but has not yet settled on a major or location of higher education.
This year's co-editor of the yearbook, Jenny Whisenhunt, our final queen candidate, has many activities on her plate.
Jenny is the daughter of Randy and Janet Whisenhunt and has participated in volleyball, basketball, forensics, drama, Big Brothers Big Sisters, youth group, FCA, H-Club and SNC. She hopes to attend the University of Kansas or Texas A&M and major in architecture after leaving HHS.
Her hobbies and interests include art, music, family and friends, and she loves wasting away her Saturdays by sleeping in and watching reruns of "I Love Lucy."
Football, track, National Honor Society, class vice-presidency, STUCO and MEY are activities enjoyed by Jenny's escort, Adam Dirks.
Son of Dwight and Carol Dirks, Adam plans to play football and throw javelin at a college to be named later. He hopes to major in athletic training, physical therapy or education.
Eva Weisbeck, daughter of Uriah and Shari Weisbeck, is the junior queen this year. She is escorted by junior king Hunter Hein, son of Jill Hein.
And, now, your 2006 Hillsboro High School homecoming queen and king are, Jenny Whisenhunt and Adam Dirks!
