The dance on Saturday, Sept. 28 will wrap up the 2024 Homecoming season with the dance. Read how West celebrated Homecoming 2024 in the various news briefs below.
West gets “dressed up” for Homecoming theme days
(Raya Radoslavova)
Seniors take the win in the 2024 Stud Volleyball tournament
During homecoming week on Monday, September 23rd, the sophomore class held stud volleyball was in the North Gym at seven o’clock. Boys from all grade levels competed, elimination style out of three sets to 20. The freshmen wore yellow, sophomores wore green, juniors were red, and seniors were blue.
The first game was juniors vs sophomores. The juniors won both sets, the first end score was 20-17 and the second set 20-15.
Next game was seniors vs sophomores. Seniors won both sets, the first set 20-7 and then the second set sophomores battled a little in the middle but seniors took the win with the end score being 20-13.
Freshmen and sophomores were then eliminated and the next game was juniors vs seniors. Seniors won the first set 20-11 and then juniors took the win the second set battling back and forth 22-20. The third set went to ten and seniors finished the game 10-6.
The last game of the night was staff vs the seniors. The seniors won the first set 15-11. The second set the staff regrouped and the seniors dug a hole for themselves resulting in the staff winning 15-8. At nine o’clock the third and final set of stud volleyball started and staff were able to take hold of control beating the seniors 10-7.
Juniors pull of huge upset in Powderpuff 2024
The annual Normal West Powderpuff football game is part of the Normal West Homecoming tradition, and the game is historically played between juniors vs seniors.
The juniors have never won two years in a row, so after last year’s win, the seniors were very hopeful to get a W.
This year, in a nail-biting game, the juniors, led by quarterback Savannah Steers, running back Aleigha Bitner and break-out player of the game, Addyson Hammond, pulled off the win against a tough Senior team.
Senior playmakers Shelby Sennett, at Quarterback, as well as Macie Vaux, a tough running back, Cameryn Nussbaum, as another dominant running back had a 16-point come back, but it just was not enough.
The player of the game was Addyson Hammond, who in triumphant fashion scored the game-winning touchdown.
The final score of the game was 36-35.
Wildcat energy at an all-time high during the 2024 homecoming assembly
To celebrate homecoming, West’s 2024 homecoming assembly occurred this Thursday morning, Sep. 26. A variety of performances occurred from the choir, band, JV and varsity cheerleading, among others.
Some describe the assembly as the most energized assembly West has ever had.
Student Council members, along with Mr. Jason Klokkenga, who led the event, called down various students from each class to participate in games, and, along with staff members, they competed to be the winning team. Although it was a close contest, the seniors dominated each game.
Coach Hess arrived in the backside of a golf cart to lead the spirit stick contest, which Seniors won once again.
At the end of the assembly, the Kat-itude Court winners and the Homecoming Court were announced.
Three distinguished alum honored at the 2024 Wall of Fame dinner
On Wednesday, September 25th three Hall of Fame inductees, Lisa Preston, Andrew Loy, and Mandy Garner-Laux were added to Normal West’s Hall of Fame over dinner.
All three inductees as well as the current principal Dr. Angie Codron spoke at the ceremony. Various retired and current staff members attended, as well.
The dinner commenced at 6:30 p.m. and Avanti’s provided the food.
The ceremony started at 7:00 p.m. lasting until 8:30 p.m.
Two current West Chamber orchestra students Calvin Beyers and Alyssa Thompson also performed at the event.
There was also artwork featured, created by Natalie Sokulski and Lena Ganschow, two seniors at West.
The original principal of West Dr. Jerry Crabtree attended, accompanied by the original mascot from 1995.
1995 volleyball team honored at volleyball game
The 1995 Elite 8 volleyball team will be honored at the varsity volleyball game on Thursday, Sept. 26. Game time is 7 p.m. and the Wildcats will take on Peoria Notre Dame.
Although the process looked different, the 2024 Homecoming royalty announced
The process for choosing the winners has changed from years in the past.
A new addition to homecoming royalty is the KATITUDE court.
There were 7 KATITUDE winners chosen with those winners being Xavion Grismore, Austin Miller, Mackenzie Miller, Cambrie Jarman, Ava Hensley, Ethne Waters, Isabella Gilbert.
There were also the top 2 vote getters who were also picked for Royalty from the senior class.
The voting took place from Monday, September 23 through Wednesday, September 25.
All seniors were allowed to campaign and put up posters around the school.
During the annual Homecoming assembly on Thursday September 26th, the student council members running the assembly announced the winners.
The 2024 royalty winners were Ryder Coone and Mia Parson.
After winning, Ryder shaved his head in front of the whole school.
Wildcats set to take on Peoria High for the 2024 Homecoming game
The 2-2 Normal West Wildcats will take on the 4-0 Peoria Lions Friday, September 28 at 7 p.m. in an inter-conference matchup. The student section theme is USA.
UPDATE: The Wildcats emerged victorious against the Lions with a final score of 20-18 this past Friday, Sept. 28.
Normal West running back Cody Muhlbauer ran for 1 touchdown in the comeback win.
West will look to make it two in a row next Friday at home against the 3-2 Waubonsie Valley Warriors.
