MFL MarMac homecoming activities will ‘Unleash the Beast’ next week

By Audrey Posten, Times-Register

Sept. 25 through Oct. 1 is homecoming week at MFL MarMac, and the high school student council has been hard at work planning activities to engage not only students and staff, but the whole MFL MarMac community, in school spirit and the theme “Unleash the Beast.”

“We want to make sure everything runs smoothly and that the community is involved and gets to see good stuff in the school building, on the football field and everything in between,” said senior Hailee Corlett, who, with fellow student council officers Emme Schroeder, Corbin McElwaine, Mindy Keehner and Mariah Moser, spoke about the upcoming week.

Homecoming kicks off Sunday night, with the iron man volleyball and powderpuff football games—both of which are open to the public. Iron man will begin at 5 p.m. in the high school gym, and powderpuff will follow on the football field.

The 2022 homecoming court will be announced at the conclusion of the powderpuff football game, a change from previous years.

“That way we didn’t have to interrupt classes by announcing during the school day. The public can know who our court is and everybody can be there for pictures,” said Corlett.

“It gives everyone a chance to see who’s on the court right then and there,” added Schroeder.

Activities will continue Monday with class hallway decorating. 

According to Keehner, that “starts the spirit, and gets the vibe going.”

Dress up days will also begin.

Wednesday is the high school fun day. Students will participate in games and activities and enjoy a tailgate lunch courtesy of the Clayton County Cattlemen and shakes later in the afternoon, thanks to Clayton County Dairy Promotion.

Friday will highlight homecoming week, starting with the Bulldogs Breakfast for high school students that morning and the parade and pep rally in the afternoon.

The parade will start at 2 p.m., in Monona. It’s organized by the MFL MarMac FFA, and any businesses who would like to participate can contact sarah.plaht@mflmm.k12.ia.us.

“Each class is planning to have a float in the parade following the theme, and there will be a bunch of school representatives and local businesses,” shared Keehner. “Our grand marshal this year is the chain gang for the football games.”

“It’s important to recognize what they do for our football team,” said McElwaine.

Following the parade, the public is welcome to attend the pep rally in the high school gym. The event includes cheerleader-led games with the homecoming court, a boy/girl dance, sports team recognition and the crowing of the homecoming king.

The queen will be announced that evening, during halftime of MFL MarMac’s football game against Postville.

Homecoming activities will conclude Saturday evening, with a formal dance. The event was moved from Friday to Saturday last year, to great success, according to the student council.

“It was nice to see a big turnout for the dance last year. In the past, it was right after the game and nobody would ever come to that. Last year, it was packed and everybody was super excited,” explained McElwaine.

“We’ve started a tradition now and are going to keep it going, hopefully. It brings a lot of memories for that day,” Corlett added.

The student council is excited to see how homecoming has grown as a whole.

“Last year, we tried to do a lot of new stuff,” Keehner said. “We’re trying to see how much better we can make it from year to year.”

“And if things go well this year, we can move them forward to my next years of high school,” noted Moser, a freshman.

It helps to have a group of dedicated, diverse members. That’s thanks, in large part, to the student council expanding from two representatives per grade to four a year ago.

“We have multiple perspectives when planning things, which is really nice,” Corlett stated.

“You have literally every sport, every group,” McElwaine added. “Everybody wants to get involved in leading.”

“We’re a really dedicated group and just out here to help our students and help our school,” Schroeder concluded.

The students said having a supportive community also helps. Multiple businesses—including Luana Savings Bank, EXIT Realty - Ali Werger, Vorwald Enterprises, Inc. and Sincerely Yours Interiors, M’s Machine and Manufacturing, Casey’s and Clayton County Recycling—are sponsoring activities, food, T-shirts and homecoming crowns, sashes and flowers. 

“I’m excited for the game, to have the community support and the alumni come back home,” Schroeder said.

“It affects how we play, when we have the community there cheering behind us,” quipped McElwaine, a football player.

Added Corlett, “Getting the community involved during homecoming week as much as possible is one of our main goals.”