By Laura Sheedy and Robyn Bickler

Pacelli Catholic Schools

Tradition continues with the Lyle-Pacelli Homecoming Week of events leading up to the homecoming football game on Friday, Oct. 7, in Lyle. This weekend teachers and students will gather and decorate the halls of Pacelli High School to see who will be awarded the “best hallway” award. For the past few years the Class of 2018 has won this honor; will it be three in a row? We will find out on Monday, Oct. 3!

Pacelli’s Student Council has selected a theme for each day of Homecoming Week. Both students and teachers dress for the theme each day. Monday is pajama day, Tuesday is Jersey Day, Wednesday is Class Color Day, Thursday is Throwback Thursday, and Friday concludes the week as LP Spirit Day. Homecoming Week events begin with the teacher versus football players volleyball game at 7 p.m. on Monday, Oct. 3, in the Pacelli Gym. Admission to this much anticipated game of volleyball is one non-perishable food or personal hygiene item that will be donated to the Austin Salvation Army. Come cheer on your favorite players and see what creative and humorous outfits they will be wearing. Homecoming Coronation will be at 7:30 p.m. on Wednesday evening, Oct. 5 in the Pacelli Auditorium. Tradition continues with the Queen candidates giving speeches as well as high jinx for the entire Court before crowning one King and one Queen as voted on by the Pacelli high school students and staff earlier that day. On Friday, Oct. 7, both Pacelli and Lyle schools will gather for powder puff football, kickball, a pep fest, a picnic, and a parade in Lyle. All are welcome to join us for the football game at 7 p.m. that night in Lyle. As you drive to Lyle, please honk your horn for the Pacelli Cross Country runners as they run the game ball from Pacelli to Lyle’s centerfield. Following the game versus Lanesboro, there will be a dance for all LP High School students in Lyle.

Following the Friday homecoming activities, the fun continues on Saturday, Oct. 8, 2016, as Pacelli Catholic Schools host the second annual Ride It Race It Walk It event to raise money to support Pacelli PreK-12th grade programs and activities. This annual walk-a-thon fundraiser has been a part of the Austin community for well over 30 years with many changes along the way. The primary goal has always remained the same, to bring the community together to raise the funds necessary to help Pacelli provide a high quality educational opportunity in Austin, Minnesota.

Students are asked to seek pledges from family members, neighbors, co-workers, and trusted friends leading up to the event. Families and community members are encouraged to register by Oct. 1st in the Pacelli School offices to participate in either a 5K Run/Walk, a 10K Run or a 10K Bike race starting at 10 a.m.in Veteran’s Pavilion/Bandshell Park and utilizing the Austin Bike Trails. The registration fee is $25 dollars which includes a race t-shirt. All additional money is donated to the school.

You can also register the day of the event, however, the cost will be $35 and t-shirts are no longer guaranteed. Following the race, the Pacelli PTCA is hosting a Family Fall Festival from 10:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. in Bandshell Park which includes over 20 carnival games with prizes, face painting, a photo booth, and an inflatable obstacle course. The dunk tank was very popular last year and this year proves to be no exception.

Students will be voting on which teachers and staff will be taking a turn in the dunk tank. We also have a few well known Austin community members that volunteered to be dunked. Bruiser from the Austin Bruins is scheduled to make an appearance and take part in the festivities around 10:30 a.m. All the running, walking, and biking is sure to work up an appetite which can be satisfied with concessions provided by the Pacelli Booster Club and the Knights of Columbus from 10:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.

Be prepared to be entertained by The Bissen Band on stage at The Bandshell from noon until 1 p.m. and music throughout the day provided by Simplified Sound Productions. Carnival game and concession tickets will be 4/$1 with all proceeds benefitting the Pacelli PTCA. Join us for a fall day filled with fun, food, friendship and family!

If you are interested in learning more about Pacelli Catholic Schools visit our website at www.pacellischools.org, email admin@pacellischools.org or call 507-437-3278.
—Laura Sheedy manages grades 6-12 activities for Pacelli, and Robyn Bickler is Pacelli kindergarten prep teacher and ride/race/walk co-chair.