By Jessica Robison
Moapa Valley Progress
Moapa Valley High School celebrated Homecoming last week. High school students, alumni and community members were invited to participate in a variety of traditional events as well as a few new ones.
The annual Powderpuff Football Game was held on Tuesday evening. The game features the boys switching roles with the girls for one football game. Girls are split into two football teams: freshmen/seniors, and sophomores/juniors. The girls play against each other while the boys act as cheerleaders and perform a routine during halftime. This year, the freshmen/senior team won with the final score being 16-0.
On Thursday evening the annual Homecoming Parade took place, wending its way around the high school. Coach Jerry Brown and his wife returned to the community and led the parade as the Grand Marshall. Brown was the MVHS basketball coach in 1956. That year he led his team to win the state championship.
“[Being the Grand Marshall] has been a wonderful experience,” Brown commented. “I’m glad to be here at this beautiful school; this beautiful, modern building.”
Just behind the Grand Marshall, another car carried six of the eleven members of that 1956 state championship basketball team. The members present were Elmer Cottam, George Alderette, Ronnie Leavitt, Vaughn Pulsipher, Bud Sprague, and Paul Jensen.
The Homecoming Royalty made an appearance in the parade, looking fantastic. Royalty candidates this year included Aaron Crisp, Trevor Durham, and Lane Stringham for king; and McKenzie Hoy, Kaitlyn Oglesby, and McCall Smith for queen.
The class floats came next. Standing on top of the freshmen float was Homecoming Princess, Tahnee German with her attendants Cheyenne Leavitt and Delane Leavitt. On the sophomore float was Princess Tylee Evans and her attendants Whitney Muns and Malary Reid. Princess Hanna Leavitt stood on the junior float with her attendants Nicole Leavitt and Shealyn Belcher. Then, on the senior float was Princess Stephani Haun with her attendants Ema Cook and Ashley Noto.
When the parade ended, attendees convened in the high school gymnasium for the Homecoming assembly. Here the Homecoming Royalty was announced. McKenzie Hoy was crowned as Homecoming Queen with Lane Stringham as King.
Next, Hal Mortensen read a brief speech about the Grand Marshall, Jerry Brown. Then, current basketball coach, Dallas Larsen unveiled the new Basketball State Banner which his team won last year.
