The Olympian flame is burning brightly this week as past and present students of Columbus East High School attend homecoming activities.
The East Olympians will take on the Highlanders of Floyd Central at Friday night’s homecoming football game, where alumni and students will come together to cheer on their school.
East students have been celebrating their Olympian pride since Monday during spirit week.
Members of the Student Assembly decided on five outfits students could wear to school each day to show their personalities and their support for their school.
After mismatch day on Monday, tie dye day on Tuesday and plaid day on Wednesday, East students are in their favorite college attire for today’s spirit outfit.
All of the focus will be on their school on Friday, though, when East spirit becomes the dress code.
“I’ve seen a lot of people doing (the spirit days),” said Nicole Bodi, a Columbus East senior.
With the traditional homecoming dance a thing of the past at Columbus East, the Olympians are opting for a more football-friendly celebration of their school in the hours leading up to the big game: a tailgate.
“This is the first year we are doing this,” said Brianna Moore, an East English teacher who advises the Student Assembly. “We’ve had a couple of lunch cookouts this year, and those went well, so we decided to try this for homecoming.”
At the tailgate, students will enjoy hamburgers, hot dogs and games until 6:30 p.m., and will then head over to the football field for the game.
The homecoming festivities will wind down with the crowning of the homecoming king and queen at halftime.
Queen candidates will ride onto the field in Corvettes, with the king candidates following nearby.
While homecoming is open to underclassmen, only seniors are recognized on the football team and in competition for homecoming king and queen positions.
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Spirit days: College attire (today), East spirit (Friday).
Homecoming tailgate: 5:30-6:30 p.m. in the bus parking lot. Food and games will be available.
Homecoming game: Floyd Central at Columbus East, 7 p.m., 230 S. Marr Road.
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