Kayelyn McCaslin
Reporter
Another week at Dyersburg High has come to a close, but these past four days have held a tinge of excitement unlike before. Last week was an attempt at a basketball homecoming celebration. But this year, there were no pep-rallies, no homecoming dances and not even a basketball game that fans were allowed to attend. While COVID-19 has put high school traditions on a 180 degree spin, the student council and administration have tried their best to make what they could of the situation.
“Despite the tons of restrictions during homecoming week, I suppose that getting to wear a hoodie day is not something that I can complain about,” junior Eva Boatright said.
As for activities, students were given permission to break dress code in different ways each day. From Tuesday to Friday, staff encouraged students to dress according to themes including Career Day, Hoodie Day, Cowboy & Camo Day and School Spirit Day.
Also to mark the out-of-the ordinary week, balloons and streamers decorated the normally bland halls, customized by student council members. All of the class’s halls were themed “Trojan”, and they ranged from posters showing appreciation for basketball players to rainbow colored decor hanging from lockers. On Friday, it was announced that the Class of 2022 had the best decorated hallway.
Later that night, an exclusive event for students nominated for homecoming royalty along with their parents was held in the atrium: an atypical “homecoming court.” It was filmed and posted virtually through Facebook. The court consisted of freshmen Virginia Kerber and Mary Lane Lawson, sophomores Ella Bevis and Makaya Moody, juniors Lauren Ingram and Anna Staggs and seniors Mekiyah Blackwell and KK Howard. The ladies honored as maids were Virginia Kerber, Ella Bevis and Mekayiah Blackwell. The 2021 Basketball Homecoming Queen was KK Howard.
This week may not have lived up to expectations, but at the very least, it was something. COVID-19 continues to limit what once normal experiences are granted, but day by day, it makes students more grateful for what they are allowed.
Photo by Kayelyn McCaslin
Juniors Ally Kate Byars and Luke Randolph huddle together for a photo on Hoodie Day. Contrary to the regular dress code, students were allowed to rep their favorite hoodie merchandise during this dress-up day for basketball homecoming week.
Photo by Kayelyn McCaslin
Sophomores Pressli Hanna and Abbi Arnold pose together in their camo gear. The Camo & Cowboy dress-up day allowed students to wear anything from jean bottoms to full-on camouflage onesuits.
Photo courtesy Connie Donner
Slipping off their masks for a moment to show their pearly whites, the ladies of the 2021 Basketball Homecoming Court take a single non-socially-distanced photo. As shown in the virtual recording of the event on Dyersburg High School's Facebook page, the majority of the night was spent properly "masked-up" with plenty of space between each participant. The nominated ladies are named as follows from left to right: Lauren Ingram, Anna Staggs, Maid Mekiyah Blackwell, Queen KK Howard, Maid Ella Bevis, Maid Virginia Kerber, Mayaka Moody and Mary Lane Lawson.
Photo courtesy Connie Donner
Pictured above is the 2021 Basketball Homecoming Queen KK Howard. Howard also competed on a different court Friday night, the Terry Glover gymnasium floor where the Lady Trojans basketball team endured a 43-28 loss to the Westview lady chargers.
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