Gretna East embraces unity with new homecoming traditions

Brayden Hansen, Managing Editor

October 15, 2024

Columns

After being announced Homecoming Queen, senior Addison Larock is hugged by her sister and her friends. “I was honestly surprised, I was not expecting that at all,” Larock said. “It made me feel happy that everybody thinks about me in that way.”

DISCLOSURE: This is an opinion article. Please note that unsigned editorials represent the collective opinion of The Wingspan student news staff and do not necessarily represent the opinion of the adviser or Gretna East High School. Columns represent the opinion of the author alone and do not necessarily represent the opinions of the adviser, the Wingspan staff or Gretna East High School.

Ending out the coronation, seniors Colton Knott, Addison Upton, Addison Larock and Drew Rhoades pose for a photo. Homecoming royalty was crowned as follows: Knott as Prince, Upton as Princess, Larock as Queen and Rhoades as King. “I was honestly surprised, I was not expecting that at all,” Larock said. “It made me feel happy that everybody thinks about me in that way.” (Madeline Petrick)

Setting a new standard for inclusivity, Gretna East has reinvented its homecoming recognition to accommodate all four classes better. This year, administration introduced a traditional homecoming court alongside Griffin Spirit Awards, ensuring each class receives its moment while still incorporating a classic high school tradition into the school’s culture. This change from last year’s Griffin Spirit Leaders was necessary to cement all-new traditions and create a greater sense of community by honoring leaders from all grade levels, not just seniors.
Normally, a homecoming court involves the entire student body voting to recognize four seniors as King, Queen, Prince and Princess. On the other hand, Griffin Spirit Awards go beyond just a vote. The awards are decided by administrators based on participation in extracurricular activities, leadership qualities, character and involvement in Spirit Week. While, last year, Griffin Spirit Leaders didn’t have an entirely positive reception, the renamed Griffin Spirit Awards’ ability to honor the underclassmen is why it’s here to stay.
“To allow for, hopefully, a moment school-wide for all four grades, and also some recognition amongst all four grades is why we kept the spirit awards,” Activities Director Ryan Garder said. “I know it’s going to take some time, like any tradition, to really get going, but I’m proud of the students who participated.”
This change ensures that every student has the chance to be recognized. While the traditional homecoming court only highlights the seniors, expanding recognition to all classes encourages every student to participate.
“There are people in every grade who obviously are leaders and should be recognized for the good things that they do throughout the school,” Homecoming Queen, senior Addison Larock said.
Additionally, announcing the Griffin Spirit Awards during the actual homecoming dance made them feel more significant. Winners are recognized in front of their peers, just like the homecoming court, which gives the student body something to look forward to during the dance.
“I think it was a positive change,” Griffin Spirit Award winner, sophomore Caitlin Rischling said. “I felt more recognition than last year.”
While many were unsure how administration would handle homecoming recognition this year, these new traditions ensure that every student is celebrated and is a step in the right direction to cementing an all-new Griffin culture. With these in place, homecoming will continue to be an event students anticipate for years to come.

About the Contributors

Brayden Hansen, Managing Editor

Brayden Hansen is a junior at Gretna East and this will be his second year on the Wingspan staff. This year he serves as the Wingspan's Managing Editor. He is also on the Guardian Yearbook staff this year. Last year at the NSAA High School State Journalism competition, he won first place in Editorial Writing, which is also why he specializes in opinion and editorial writing here on staff. He also won four other awards at State. However, his love of op/ed is not why he originally joined the staff last year. Hansen wanted to be more involved in the school and also just liked writing and being creative. When he's not writing persuasive op/ed pieces, Hansen hangs out with his friends and family, goes to Sonic and takes pictures of whatever he’s around. After high school, he plans to further his education at the collegiate level and get a degree in Journalism. See more awards here.

Madeline Petrick, Editor-in-chief

Madeline, otherwise known as Madie, is a junior at Gretna East and is on her third year of being on a journalism staff, and her second as the Wingspan's Editor-in-Chief. She loves taking photos and writing for Gretna East Media, as she is also on the yearbook staff. As a freshman, Petrick took home first place in Entertainment Review at the NSAA High School State Journalism championships. As a sophomore she won four State awards. Aside from her involvement with Gretna East Media, she is also the Public Relations Officer for student council, a National Honors Society member and is on the Gretna varsity swim team. Due to her love of the field and nearly every aspect of it, Petrick hopes to pursue journalism after high school in college and eventually become a news anchor. See more awards here.