Written by Nathan Manske
Homecoming 2026 was definitely one to remember. From dressing up to the big win on Friday night, a lot of fun was had by many and good memories were made.
To start the week, all of the grades decorated hallways on Sunday from one to five. Students decorated hallways according to the movie genre themes. The seniors had Sci Fi, juniors had horror, sophomores had action, and freshmen decorated for musicals. Winners of the hallways were the seniors with the sophomores in second, freshmen in third, and juniors last.
On Monday, everyone looked cozy for Pajama Day. There was originally a cross country meet in Humboldt, but it was canceled. Because of the cancellation, the team picked up a meet in Mason City on Tuesday.
Tuesday everyone was dressed up in baggy shorts for Adam Sandler Day. There were definitely some goofy outfits. Advisories played head, shoulders, knees, cup for Homecoming games and Mrs. Fischels’ advisory was the winner. In addition to the rescheduled cross country meet there was a volleyball game against Spirit Lake at home.
Wednesday’s dress up day was Bikers vs Surfers. There was also powderpuff football at 6:30, which the senior girls won by a landslide. Right after football was muscle volleyball, which the junior, team one, won. Teague Alesch sa
id, “We had a lot of fun.”
Thursday students dressed up as movie characters for Movie Day. There were even students dressed up as the Three Amigos. The girls’ volleyball team traveled to Iowa Falls, where the Dawg Pound theme was formal. The girls picked up wins over Iowa Falls and Clarion.
Friday’s theme was Spirit Day. The football seniors, cheerleaders, drumline, and Homecoming court traveled to all of the schools for their own pep rallies in the morning. The high 
school pep rally started at 1:00 and highlighted fall activities, like football, volleyball, swim, cross country, Model UN, band, Student Senate, dance, the musical, and more! Pep rally games were held to see which class was the best. The juniors won the wrestling mat surfing game and the faculty won wig snatch. The Homecoming coronation also happened at the pep rally. This year's royalty included: Will Limbaugh, Nathan Manske, Jaxon Olmstead, Mason Ulrich, Charli Dodds, Reagan Haynes, Taylor VanOtterloo, Ella Welp, with king Alejandro Gonzalez Gutierrez and queen Abby Lampe.
Following the p
ep rally was the parade that also highlighted fall activities. In addition, the middle school band and the elementary students walked in it. The parade started at Bertha Godfrey and ended at Algona High School.
To end Homecoming week, the football team won their game against MOC Floyd Valley!