Homecoming week at Tinora High School is always something to look forward to. The energy in the halls, the excitement in the air, the late nights spent decorating, and the proud cheers that echo across the football field. But this year, with a theme of “Under the Sea”, something about it felt just a little more magical.
Planning started way back in April, when Student Council students, freshmen through seniors, began tossing around theme ideas. Each year, students do the research, pitch their vision, and vote together to choose a direction. It’s a tradition that gives everyone ownership of the week. When “Under the Sea” won the vote, the creative wheels started turning.
By the time October rolled around, the school had transformed. Every hallway was decorated to match the homecoming theme, and students and staff dressed up daily for Spirit Week. Tinora wasn’t just celebrating Homecoming; it was living in it. And that was the goal all along.
“We go all out to build excitement and school spirit,” said Student Council Advisor Taylor Ferguson. “It’s more than a theme, it’s a chance to bring the student body together in a fun and meaningful way.”
Homecoming week included themed dress-up days, a high-energy pep rally, and, of course, the final touches on the big weekend. While many schools announce their Homecoming court and winners at a pep rally or earlier in the week, Tinora has its own special tradition. The crowning of the King and Queen happens right before kickoff on Friday night. The lights are on, the crowd is buzzing, and no one knows who’s going to be crowned until the very last second.
This year’s court lined up proudly on the field, dressed to impress, with little Cole Haver and Lanie Weber helping to present the crowns.
As the ceremony ended, attention turned to the field. The Rams were set to take on the Wayne Trace Raiders in a game that would test their grit right to the final whistle. For most of the night, it was a struggle. The Rams couldn’t get much going offensively and trailed 7–3 into the fourth quarter. But then, with the game on the line, everything clicked.
Quarterback Owen Ferrell connected with Owen Reynolds on a gutsy 4th-and-10 play from the 21-yard line. Reynolds caught the ball in stride and dashed into the end zone. The crowd exploded. Parker Hancock’s extra point gave the Rams a 10–7 lead with just under five minutes left.
But Wayne Trace wasn’t done yet. A big run and an even bigger pass had the Raiders knocking at the door, just 11 yards from a go-ahead score. Tinora’s defense stood strong, forcing a field goal attempt with just over a minute to play. The kick, a 29-yarder, sailed wide.
The Rams took over and ran out the clock. A 10–7 victory on Homecoming night. A gutsy throw and a perfect catch. A missed kick. Proof that the best moments aren’t planned, they’re earned.
Behind the scenes, the students who helped make Homecoming happen could finally take a breath. The hallway decorators, the Spirit Week planners, the dance organizers, the pep rally crew. Student Council is made up of 27 students split into four committees, each with its own student leader. Every hallway, event, and playlist came from their hands and ideas.
But Homecoming isn’t just for the students. It’s for the entire Tinora community, for the alumni who return, the teachers who cheer from the sidelines, and the families in the stands. This year, the Class of 1975 joined in the celebration, adding another layer of tradition to an already packed night.
When the final song played at the dance and the last decoration came down, one thing was clear: Homecoming at Tinora isn’t just an event. It’s a story, one that every student gets to help write.
Homecoming Game & Dance photos by Stephanie Helmke.