By Amy H. Mullis
Homecoming celebrations are already in full swing at Dodge County High School (DCHS) and will culminate with the annual homecoming parade on Friday.
According to DCHS Academic Coach and Homecoming Parade Coordinator Marci Jones, the fun on campus begins long before floats line up for the parade. “The parade is preceded at the school with a weeklong celebration of dress up days, contests and a pep rally,” she said. On Thursday night at 7:00 p.m., however, the fun goes off campus for the powwow festivities. At the powwow, which is open to the community, members of the homecoming court will compete in various activities, including skits, dancing and ending with a very messy obstacle course. This event will take place at the Dodge County Middle School track at 7:00 p.m.
The powwow will be followed Friday morning by the homecoming pep rally in the DCHS gym where students will give their all to energize the Dodge County Indians for their game against the Vidalia Indians on Friday night at 7:30 p.m. at Memorial Stadium.
Then DCHS will take the celebration down Main Street at 4:00 p.m. with the homecoming parade.
Aubrey Corbitt, the grand marshal for this year’s parade, encourages everyone in the community to come out to the parade on Friday.
“It is a special, special day and week,” he said, adding that it’s not just special to students. “It means a lot to the kids that are presently in school, but I think the ones who experienced [homecoming week] while they were students will find that it brings back fond memories of good times for them also.”
Corbitt, presently the business development officer at Citizens Bank & Trust in Eastman, served as the assistant principal of DCHS for two years and as its principal for 14, and says he is honored by the invitation to be the parade’s grand marshal.
“As a former principal, I know the selection process is very thought out and I know how much they put into it,” he said.
Jones reiterated Corbitt’s invitation to the community to get involved in the homecoming powwow and parade.
“These activities offer an opportunity for the community to get involved with the school and vice versa,” she said. “It also allows the students to display what they’re about and express their school spirit.”
Jones is still accepting parade applications, which are available in the front office at DCHS or at the school’s Web site at http://dhs.dodge.k12.ga.us/home.aspx. The application for the parade is $5.00.
Dr. Susan Long, DCHS principal, said homecoming week at the high school is enjoyed by all.
“Homecoming at DCHS is an exciting time for all of us,” she said. “Students, staff and community members team up to make great things happen, and our alumni come home to enjoy a festive and fun time. We appreciate all of the parental and community involvement and look forward to a great week!”
The parade will begin at the DCHS parking lot and travel toward Main Street and end at the courthouse. Jones recommends, because of heavy, slow traffic near the high school on Friday, that community members either avoid driving in that area or be patient while traffic is directed through there.
She also recommends that parents of high school students ask their children about specific pick up locations for Friday afternoon.
Homecoming festivities will conclude on Friday with the Dodge vs. Vidalia game and the halftime crowning of the 2009-2010 DCHS Homecoming Queen.
