Tangled in Marauder Memories

Maclay’s Annual Homecoming Week Arrives Again

Photo by Antonia Nowels/Maclay Andalusian

Maclay Students came together once again this year to celebrate Homecoming, building community, spirit and memories. The exciting week consisted of dress-down days, break games and various events.

Administration and Key Club focused on creating the Homecoming Dance’s theme, “Tangled in Marauder Memories.” They then came up with dress down days that catered to that theme. When choosing the themes they focused on getting the whole school to participate which means they not only took the upper school into account but also heavily emphasized the lower school. On Monday, there was “Fairytale Dreams” which had students in PJS. For the break game on that day students worked to unwrap a saran ball in order to win the prizes it contained inside. Tuesday brought in unique outfits with its Decades Day, dubbed “Once Upon a Time.” After school skate world night took place. Wednesday was “Rowdy Hair, Don’t Care” with people coming to school in wacky hairstyles, hats, and/or socks.  The break game that day included trivia.

“[In the future an event should be at] the pickleball place,” sophomore Karina Ledesma said. “I mean, not a lot of people go to [Skate World] our age.”

On Thursday, the dress code closely aligned with the dance’s theme of “Marauders Have Character,” letting people dress as their favorite Disney character. The break game for that day was Disney karaoke. After school, the annual Powderpuff game was played, with the seniors coming out on top once again. The game was played in three rounds: the first round being freshmen vs. seniors, then sophomores vs. juniors and lastly sophomores vs. seniors.

“[For Thursday] the senior Bella had the Gru costume on,” Ledesma said. “I thought that was pretty funny.”

Throughout the week there was one continuous activity Marauders had a chance to participate in. The Homecoming Key Hunt returned this year with a prize of $50 TruBru store credit. Clues to find the sparkly blue key were given out every day, in the form of riddles. Some lines referenced the story “Tangled,” mentioning Flynn Rider, while others served as descriptions of where to find the key. Ultimately, the key was discovered by seniors on (what day) Adam Bailey and Lucas Gomez and they both split the prize money in half.

“Senior year homecoming is bittersweet,” Gray Burleson said. “But I could not have asked for a better one.”

On Friday, students came together to watch both the parade and pep rally, with some participating. The annual Homecoming parade featured special appearances by a firetruck and police on motorcycles. Some students walked in the parade, with the football players and cheerleaders making their appearance. Both middle school and upper school clubs such as Student Council, JCL and Ambassadors walked representing what Maclay is all about. Alumni rode past smiling students as they were welcomed again to the school that housed them. Lastly, the upper school’s homecoming court rode past in cars as students cheered them on. Afterward, students went to the pep rally. During the rally, fall sports teams walked out as their fellow peers recognized them. Some students and faculty were brought down to the floor to compete in challenges. Lastly, as the cheerleaders performed, a flash mob gathered to dance to “Cotton Eyed Joe,” ending the school week.

“I like the pep rallies because if you’re with your friends you can make it funny and you can make it interesting,” Ledesma said. “Some of the games that they do are actually pretty funny.”

Outside of school on Friday, students came together to celebrate what many think is the most exciting activity of Homecoming Week. In the  long-awaited Homecoming Game Maclay played against NFC. During halftime, Maclay’s homecoming court walked out with representatives from each grade. At the game, king and queen were crowned with Gray Burleson and Colin Edwards winning. By the end of the game, the Marauders emerged victorious with a final score of 41-0.

“Winning Homecoming Queen was an overwhelming and surreal moment,” Burleson said. “It wasn’t about the crown, but about the sense of unity and support from my peers. When we were announced King and Queen, and I heard everyone screaming, my smile was from ear to ear because of all the support and excitement for other people’s successes. I felt so loved in that tiny moment and it’s a feeling I will never forget.”

As the week concluded students enjoyed one last celebration on Oct. 19,  at the homecoming dance in Cartee Gym.