JWP Homecoming Coronation 2024
Janesville-Waldorf-Pemberton crowned a new homecoming king and queen during a coronation ceremony on Monday, September 30, as a way for the Bulldogs to kick off their homecoming week. This year, Ellah Oliver was given the queen’s crown, while Isaiah Berndt was named the king.
The candidates for the crown this year were as follows: Sophie Coulsey, escorted by Luke Cahill; Onikia Herme, escorted by Lucas Morsching; Ellah Oliver, escorted by Isaiah Berndt; Lilly Strauss, escorted by Gavin Marinenko; and Paige Walz, escorted by Ethan Born. Crown bearers were Lola Peterson and Zander Wheelock. Emcees were seniors Ariana Aguilar and Eric Daschner. Junior assistants were Katie Olson, Mikayla Wheelock, Ellie Morsching, and Lily Quast.
As part of the court, there were representatives from each class from grades 7-11. For the juniors, Tiera Anderson and Chase Gerdts; Annie Fuerstenberg and Gavin Weedman for the sophomores; Anne Adams and Dalton Ling for the freshmen; MaKaela Westphal and Johnathan Balzotti for the 8th graders; and Ava Place and Nathaniel Adams for the 7th graders.
The cheerleading team started off the coronation with a fabulous number to the school rouser. The team captains also shared a few words about how excited they were to have a cheerleading team dedicated to JWP for the first time since 2019.
As part of the coronation festivities, the JWP FCCLA (Family, Career, and Community Leaders of America) sponsors the Mr. and Mrs. Lips competition. This competition involves all the candidates kissing a piece of paper anonymously with red lipstick and everyone voting on whose lips look best via a Google form. This year, Ethan Born and Sophia Coulsey were chosen as this year’s Mr. and Mrs. Lips. They were awarded small pillows in the shape of lips and Hershey’s kisses…how fitting.
During the coronation, FCCLA president Sophia Coulsey gave a few updates about upcoming happenings for the group. One of them was the Trick or Treat Halloween event they put on every year.
FFA president Ellie Morsching then gave a brief on the happenings for the JWP chapter, including breaking a record amount of members; 63 students are now proud members of the JWP FFA. The group will also be attending the National FFA Convention in Indiana this October.
The three fall sports teams talked briefly about their seasons. While on an 0-4 start, the football team scored a huge victory against St. Clair, and captains Ethan Born, Lucas Morsching, and Peyton O’Brien were hopeful that the team would be able to turn their season around, starting with a win at homecoming against United South Central.
The JWP volleyball team were up next, with captains Lilly Strauss, Presley James, Brielle Bure, and Aubrey Weedman sharing how the team has turned things around with an even 9-9 record. They also auctioned off a 2023 volleyball poster, which was sold for $65. The cross country team also gave brief updates, with team members Onikia Herme and Lydia Huelsnitz sharing results from the team’s recent home meet at Prairie Ridge. Eric Daschner kindly reminded them they had a signed jersey to auction, which they sold for $45.
Shortly after all the coronation activities concluded, the high school girls faced off in a powder puff football competition on the football field.
With homecoming already underway, students have already been celebrating the homecoming festivities. The first dress up day was “‘Merica Monday” on Monday, September 30 with high schoolers showing off their best red, white, and blue collection. Tuesday was known as “Throwback Tuesday,” with the seniors having a special “senior sunrise” planned for them on the JWP football field at six in the morning. The junior high team hosted St. Clair for a football game at 4:30 p.m.
On Wednesday, “Wacky Wednesday” will ensue with students dressing up in the weirdest, wackiest, wacko, off-the-wall clothing they can find in their wardrobe. There will be bingo for the high schoolers during lunch. Thursday’s dress-up is split between class colors for the high schoolers and a country theme for the elementary. Cross country will be at Waseca at 4 p.m., with the volleyball team hosting NRHEG for their homecoming game at 7:15 p.m.
Friday will be school spirit day. The high schoolers will enjoy a pep fest in the afternoon, followed by a homecoming parade along Main Street at 2:45 p.m. The district encourages the public to attend the parade. The football team will host United South Central for the homecoming game at 7 p.m., with tailgating at 5 p.m.
Although not part of the school’s official schedule, there will be a homecoming for a few JWP alumni as the JWP Athletic Hall of Fame will have a banquet at Purple Goose on Saturday, October 5.
It was one fun homecoming for JWP. For more homecoming coronation photos, you can check out our special section dedicated to this event in the October 2, 2024, paper. Additional pictures will also be featured in a photo gallery of all the homecoming events covered by the Janesville Journal (with other random photos provided by the JWP Yearbook).
