By Katie Willrodt

AHS Student Council President

Homecoming week has been a longstanding tradition in our town of Austin.

It represents the start of school, the beginning of fall and of course, highlights Austin High School’s many successful athletic teams. But most of all homecoming week is a celebration of Packer Pride.

It can be shown by students for their class in the Battle of Connects, or their turnout to the sporting events. Packer Pride can be shown by the teachers who lighten the first month’s homework load, allowing the students to fully enjoy the week’s festivities. It can even be shown by community members who come out to watch the homecoming parade or cheer the football team on to their homecoming victory.

Without this pride that we have in our schools and our town, homecoming week wouldn’t be the largely successful week it is now known for.

The week started off with our co-ed pin guard tournament, a new addition to the festivities this year. The rest of the week is filled with district wide dress up days to get all students throughout the district involved in homecoming week. Homecoming coronation is an exciting event at which the homecoming king and queen are crowned.

If you ask a high school student what their favorite part of homecoming week is, they will most likely bring up the Battle of Connects. Battle of Connects is a friendly competition in which students compete with their connect in various activities.

Winning or being a good sport in these activities can help them earn points for their grade. They can also earn points by bringing in food for the food drive.

Another highlight of the week is the homecoming parade; a well-attended event which many students are a part of.  The homecoming football game is also expected to draw a large crowd as the Austin Packers take on the Faribault Falcons.

The week will come to a close with the homecoming dance.

Homecoming week is a great time for students to build positive school spirit. This is a week so loved by students that many say it is their favorite week of the school year.