By Staff
NILES – Niles High School is scrunching a week's worth of homecoming into a few days.
Cold temperatures and what seemed like endless snowfall forced school closings early in the week, which meant students were shorted two days of coming to class with crazy hair styles and mismatched clothes. But, guidance counselor Jennifer Freeze said students still spent last Saturday and Sunday at the school decorating hallways.
"They came in despite the weather. I know it was a challenge for them," Freeze said.
The 2007 winter homecoming theme is board games. The freshman class decorated in the style of Chutes and Ladders, the sophomores chose Monopoly, Operation was the juniors' theme and the seniors modeled their work after Clue.
Monday was supposed to be 'crazy hat day' and Tuesday 'dress like summer in winter day.' Freeze said students did not know what to wear Wednesday, which was supposed to be 'crazy hair day.' On Thursday, 'mismatch day,' students boasted their worst outfit combinations, and today, as always, will be 'spirit day.'
Friday's activities will also include a pep rally in the afternoon leading up to tonight's boys basketball contest, in which the Vikings host St. Joseph in the homecoming game. Niles, now holding a 5-9 record, has not played a game since their Jan. 27 contest against Mishawaka Penn. The Bears enter the game with a record of 7-5.
Brandywine High School also had a shortened homecoming celebration last week. Most of the theme days and activities were canceled due to the weather, but the boys' powder puff volleyball tournament was still held.
The senior class won the powder puff tourney, defeating the freshman in the first game and the juniors in the championship.
Kari Konopka and Jeremy Hechtl were crowned homecoming queen and king Friday, Feb. 2 at the homecoming dance.