Tornadoes Celebrate Homecoming

With the theme "Game on, Tornadoes," Turner Public School held their homecoming festivities on Friday, September 26. A parade, carnival, and coronations were all part of the celebratory agenda.

Using the chosen theme, each class designed a float around the idea of a board or video game. The Class of 2026 won the float competition with a Mario Kart-themed float and the motto "Tornadoes Always Win the Race." The seniors threw banana peels (just like in Mario Kart) off the trailer in the judges' direction during the parade, a gimmick that may well have aided the judges' decision.

Slipping into second place, the Class of 2027 had designed a Minecraft float, and the freshmen captured third with Candyland as their theme. The eighth graders followed an Angry Birds motif to create their float, decorating with balloons and adding the slogan "Tornadoes Blow the Competition Away," while the seventh graders selected Pac-Man.

After community members and classes lined up at the Turner Christian Church, the parade began at approximately 11:00. Driving her son's vintage A 1949 John Deere tractor, Grand Marshall Diana Maloney led the group down Turner's Main Street. The Hogeland and Turner Fire Departments and the Turner ambulance crew also joined the parade.

About her role, Maloney commented: "All of the entries were very different and the kids put a lot of thought into their floats. I was very honored to be asked to be the Grand Marshall. The kids from Turner Public School will always hold a special spot in my heart."

Following the parade, the carnival ensued. A fundraiser for the junior high, the carnival featured games such as cornhole, basketball, and Bingo. On the food menu, Indian tacos, scones, and Ms. Mary Jane Morales' pancit were served. Pancit is a Filipino-inspired dish that combines seared meat with a medley of vegetables, stir-fried rice noodles, and a savory sauce. Additionally, the Class of 2027 drew raffle tickets for their Yeti cooler. The lucky winner was Anita Reed.

Coronation began at around 1:45 p.m. Senior Joe Trautmann was crowned Homecoming King, and his classmate Bridget Reed was selected as Homecoming Queen. Juniors Brady Zellmer and Holly Grabofsky rounded out the royal court as Homecoming Prince and Princess. Both the junior high and high school vote for homecoming royalty. Additional candidates included Alison Doyle, Abby Grabofsky, Ty Beck, and Avery Fox.

When asked why the Tornadoes celebrate homecoming when they have no homecoming athletic contest on the calendar, Student Body President Bridget Reed stated: "We originally held homecoming during the basketball season, constructing little floats in Radio Flyer wagons. Then, in Covid times, we started doing the fall carnival outside with traditional big floats. All the classes and community members enjoyed the change, so we have continued it! Even though we don't have a football team, this festival is a good opportunity to celebrate Tornado pride in the fall season."