News Editor

GOSHEN – Homecoming spirit is in the air in Goshen this week as students, faculty, fans and supporters get set for the first Goshen homecoming of the new millennium.

"I always get excited around homecoming," said Goshen Principal Gene Nelson. "This will be the first time of the new millennium that our alumni will get back together. It’s an exciting time."

Homecoming came a little early for Goshen this year, but Sally Thomas, cheerleader and senior class sponsor, attributes it to schedule changes when Louisville High School closed.

"It messed up our schedule a little when the school closed," she said. "But we’re ready for homecoming."

The theme for homecoming this year is "Celebration 2000: Eagles Making Steps into the New Millennium." Activities have been planned around the theme including pep rallies, bonfires, dress-up days and the annual Goshen High School Homecoming Parade.

The homecoming week kicked off Monday when students and faculty wore hats for Hat Day. Some of the hats were creative while others were just standard baseball caps, but it was an opportunity to show school spirit.

Tuesday was Twin Day. Students and teachers picked a partner and came to school dressed as twins. For Britney and Whitney Norris it was like any other day since they just happen to be identical twins.

Today is 60s and 70s Disco Day and will probably be the most flamboyant of the dress up days at GHS. Thursday is Spirit Day and Friday is Dress Up Purple and Gold Day.

Each day at 2:30 p.m. a small awards ceremony will be held at the school. The student who has the best costume showing the most school spirit will receive a free pass to the football game from Nelson and a candy award from Thomas.

Closer to the end of homecoming week the days are filled with more activities for the students.

On Thursday the GHS cheerleaders will head down the road to Goshen Elementary School to lead the students in a homecoming pep rally at 1 p.m.

"We wanted the elementary school students to be a part of homecoming, too," Thomas said.

Thursday night a bonfire will be held for students, fans and supporters at 7 p.m. in the parking lot next to Goshen Stadium. The bonfire will help jump start the Goshen Eagles spirit and get everyone in the mood for the game.

Homecoming activities start early for the Eagles on Friday. The day will begin at 8:30 a.m. with a Homecoming Assembly in the gym.

"The main purpose of the program is to announce the Homecoming Queen and her attendants," Thomas said. "Neither the students nor the attendants will know who the homecoming queen is until the program."

Homecoming attendants are: Christina Helms, sixth grade; Keosha Barnes, seventh grade; Shana Hudson, eighth grade; Tiffany Brooks, ninth grade; Ashley Corkins, 10th grade; Joyce Downing, 11th grade; and Jessica Grissette and Shauntorria Merritt, both representing the 12th grade. Either Grissette or Merritt will be named Goshen Homecoming Queen.

After the program a pep rally will be held at 10 a.m. An alumni brunch will also be held in the GHS Home Economics Department.

Just when the students think they have more Eagle spirit than they can hold, line up for the Goshen High School Homecoming parade starts. Line up begins at 1 p.m. and the parade starts rolling through downtown Goshen at 1:30 p.m.

After the parade everyone will settle down for a little while and get ready for an evening full of homecoming activities.

A homecoming supper consisting of turkey and dressing will be held in the GHS cafeteria. Plates are $5 each and everyone is invited to attend.

Pre-game activities will start at 7 p.m. The homecoming attendants will be escorted onto the field at Goshen Stadium by GHS ROTC cadets. The Homecoming Queen will escorted to the field by ROTC instructor Major Lane and will be crowned by Nelson. The Alumnus of the Year will also be recognized during the pre-game ceremony and will be presented a plaque by Doristine Sankey, GHS Alumni Association president.

Once the pre-game activities have ended Goshen Stadium will be turned over to the Goshen Eagles (2-0) as they face the Barbour County Jaguars, their first regional opponent of the 2000 season. Kick off is set for 7:30 p.m.