By By Steve Gillespie/The Meridian Star
Oct. 17, 2001
Meridian High School is one of several schools celebrating homecoming this week.
Meridian High School's schedule of homecoming activities includes "Field Day" on Thursday, when students will participate from 1:30 p.m.-2:45 p.m. in various activities.
The homecoming parade lineup will begin at 5 p.m. Thursday at the school district's central office on 25th Avenue. The parade will begin 30 minutes later.
The parade will head north from the office on 24th Avenue to Poplar Springs Drive and then back to Meridian High. The parade will disband at the gates to the MHS lower parking lot.
After the parade, a bonfire is set for 6 p.m. at the band practice field.
On Friday, a pep rally is scheduled for 2:15 p.m. at the boys' gymnasium on the school campus. The homecoming football game kicks off at 7:30 p.m. in Ray Stadium when the MHS Wildcats host Natchez.
Meridian High isn't the only school celebrating homecoming this weekend. Other high schools and community colleges also are welcoming friends and alumni back to their campuses this week.
Clarkdale High School
On Thursday, students will participate in "Safari Animal Day," dressing as their favorite safari animal. A bonfire and student activities are set for 7 p.m. Thursday on the school campus.
On Friday, students will show their school colors on "Maroon and White Day." The school's homecoming parade is set for 2 p.m., followed by a pep rally at 2:30.
Clarkdale will host Kemper County in their homecoming football game. Kick off is set for 7:30 p.m. at the Clarkdale football stadium.
Northeast High School
Students will dress alike on Thursday for "Twin Day." Then they will show their spirit on Friday for "Class Spirit Day."
On Friday, the homecoming parade begins at 8 a.m. from the high school campus. The parade route heads to Northeast Elementary School, to Northeast Middle School and then back to the high school.
After the parade, students will participate in a pep rally. Then Northeast will host Mendenhall in the homecoming football game set to kick off at 7:30 that night.
East Central Community College
ECCC will host a reception Thursday to showcase artwork of alumni Jennifer Thames and Dianne Douglas, both of Newton. The reception will be from 6:30 p.m.-9 p.m. in the Vickers Fine Arts Center.
On Friday, the annual Alumni/Student Golf Tournament is set for 4 p.m. at Decatur Country Club.
Also on Friday is a presentation by Joe Todd of Cincinnati, Ohio, who will be honored as the 2001 Alumnus of the Year. Todd, son of the late L. O. Todd, who served as ECCC President from 1934-1953, will speak on "Memories of East Central, 1939-1953: Depression, War, Rebuilding, War Again."
The program begins at 7 p.m. in the multi-purpose room of the Associate Degree Nursing/Childcare Technology Building.
On Saturday, reunion groups begin meeting at 10 a.m. across campus. The Alumni Awards luncheon begins Saturday at noon in Mabry Memorial Cafeteria.
The homecoming football game kicks off Saturday at 2:30 p.m. at Warrior Stadium against Jones County Junior College.
East Mississippi Community College
On Saturday, a Korean War veterans memorial dedication is set for 10:30 a.m. between the school's administration building and old gym. The guest speaker will be Brig. Gen. James R. McKell.
At 11 a.m., the Sports Hall of Fame will host a formal induction ceremony in the Stennis Hall Auditorium. Twenty former athletes and coaches will be inducted.
Among those joining the Hall of Fame are Fred Adams of Jackson; Jerry Boatner of Collinsville; Betty Spears Boyette of Loranger, La.; Randall Bradberry of Madison; Jesse Brown of Porterville; Bill Buckner of Ridgeland; Roger Duncan of Preston; and Don Edwards of Starkville.
Also joining the Hall will be Ikie Ethridge of Collinsville; Henry Faulkner of Destin, Fla.; Jack Manley of Rogersville, Ala.; Richard Mathis of Poplarville; Clyde Pierce of West Point; Gerald Poole of Scooba; Malcolm Robinson of Carthage; Thomas Scarborough of Decatur; Warren Swoope of Columbus; James Walker of Hattiesburg; Keyes Currie and Robert Victor Sullivan.
At noon, a luncheon is set in Keyes Currie Coliseum, with entertainment by the EMCC Reflections. Speaking at the luncheon will be Mark D. McPhail, the 2001 Distinguished Service Award recipient, and A.L. Courtney Jr., the 2001 Alumnus of the Year recipient.
The Korean War veterans and Sports Hall of Fame inductees will also be recognized. Tickets for the luncheon will be available at the door.
Then at 2 p.m., the homecoming football game against Holmes is set to kick off. At halftime the 2001 Homecoming Queen and Court will be presented.
The East Mississippi Community College Alumni Association will recognize A.L. Courtney, Jr. as the Alumnus of the Year and Mark D. McPhail of Meridian will be presented the school's Distinguished Service Award.
Southeast High School
The Southeast Homecoming was Sept. 28.
West Lauderdale High School
The West Lauderdale Homecoming was Oct. 12.
Steve Gillespie is a staff writer for The Meridian Star. Call him at 693-1551, ext. 3233, or e-mail him at sgillespie@themeridianstar.com.