CHS homecoming lives up to its billing with cheers, thrills

Chester High School's 2018 homecoming definitely lived up to its theme: "Greatest Show on Earth."

From a stunning 37-0 football rout of an undefeated Sesser- Valier-Waltonville team, to the elegant crowning of its homecoming royalty over the weekend. the events of the past week were ones for the ages.,

CHS Homecoming Queen Shea Petrowske was crowed during halftime of the football game Friday, while junior Austin Schweitzer was crowned Homecoming King at the dance Saturday night.

"This year's activities and dance were the best I've seen," said Sarah Hammel, CHS Student Council Co-Sponsor. "The kids stayed and had a great time at the dance and they enjoyed the activities associated with the evening."

The week's activities actually started Sept. 21 with a hallway decorating contest. Each grade level class was assigned a hallway to decorate with the Greatest Show theme in mind as well as overall CHS YellowJacket pride.

The hallways were judged Sept. 24 with the Juniors Class of 2010 winning. The Sophomore Class of 2021 placed second, Freshmen Class of 2022 third and Seniors Class of 2019 fourth.

Also on Monday the hallways of CHS were filled with teachers, students and staff dressed up and "clowning around" reflecting their favorite meme.

The "Battle of the Classes" continued Tuesday with Class Color Day, as all four classes dressed in their assigned color for homecoming week. To end the day, all four classes gathered in Colbert Gymnasium to compete in the traditional Annual Spirit games. Competitions included a scavenger hunt, pumpkin carving contest, apple bobbing contest, basketball shootout, caterpillar race, and dodgeball game. Each class received points for achieving various levels of success in the games. The seniors won the battle, with the juniors placing second, freshmen third and sophomores fourth.

"Twins Day" and "Dynamic Duo Day" came on Wednesday. Students and teachers dressed up as twins or like their favorite Dynamic Duo hero.

"Wear Pink Day" on Thursday had the halls of CHS bursting with pink to show respect and support for those who have survived breast cancer or who are currently dealing with cancer. The day ended with "Volley for a Cure Night" at Colbert Gymnasium, when the Lady Jackets Volleyball Team hosted Black Diamond Conference foe, Trico. "Volley for a Cure Night" is an annual event at CHS and the 2018 event coordinator was Carlee Weir, a senior volleyball player.

Immediately after the volleyball game the CHS Marching Yellowjackets, Cheerleaders and Dance Team hosted the annual Homecoming Bonfire and Pep rally behind the school.

The annual Homecoming Parade began at 4 p.m. Friday and ran from the First Baptist Church in Chester and marched through the City of Chester from State Street, down Swanwick Street to the Chester High School. The parade featured the Marching Yellowjackets, the Chester Grade School Band, each CHS class as well as the Chester Fire Department, Police Department and many of the visiting alums who were in town for class reunions. During the parade each class displayed a "Class Banner" that was created to show support for the Yellowjackets and advertise their class. Each banner was judged and points were awarded. The juniors and freshmen classes tied for first in the banner content, with the seniors placing second and sophomores in third.

Petrowske was named Homecoming Queen at halftime of the football game and Cara Childs was runner up. Other court members included juniors Adeline Blechle and Ryn Petrowske and senior Kamryn Wingerter.

Queen candidate escorts for the evening included Matt Korando, Chett Andrews, Jacob Cowell, Jakob Cushman, and Brady Kelkhoff. The Retiring 2017 Homecoming King and Queen were Joslyn Abernathy and Pablo Villanueva. Andrew Frazer filled in for Villanueva, who was unable to attend.

The Homecoming Dance took place Saturday at Juergen's Gymnasium. The gym was decorated in a carnival theme, complete with streamers, game booths, brightly colored tables. A refreshment table was available.

Junior Austin Schweitzer was selected King before the dance portion of the program, and senior Drake Bollman was named runner up. Other king candidates included seniors Eric Cowell and Jakob Cushman and junior Chett Drews.

Escorts for the dance were 2018 CHS Homecoming Queen Shea Petrowske, Runner Up Cara Childs, and candidates Adeline Blechle, Ryn Petrowske, and Kamryn Wingerter. Retiring Queen, Joslyn Abernathy and CHS Football Quarterback, Nick Meyer conducted the crowning ceremony. Meyer was filling in for retiring King Pablo Villanueva.<object id="Extra Pictures" type="x-im/image" uuid="E4AD0887-5000-4569-9AB8-EAFEEEA1C26A"><links><link rel="self" type="x-im/image" uri="im://image/E4AD0887-5000-4569-9AB8-EAFEEEA1C26A.jpg" uuid="E4AD0887-5000-4569-9AB8-EAFEEEA1C26A"><data><title><![CDATA[