One of the most exciting weekends for Fluvanna County High School is Homecoming.  It is the time that great memories are made and it gives the promise of more to come in the fantastic year ahead.  From the Pep Rally to the Homecoming Dance, the Flucos are never bored during this special weekend.

After five days of non-stop action and Spirit Week costumes, Friday, Sept. 18 finally arrived, and with it, the Homecoming Pep Rally.  Students got out of class around 3 pm that day and followed the band, the cheerleaders, and the football team as they wound their way to the gym.  

Once there, the real festivities began with the announcement of this year’s Homecoming Emperor and Empress, Matt Morrison and Jocelyn Stevens.  “The perks [of being Empress] are great,” Stevens later remarked. “Box seats at all games and a special parking place year-round for my golden chariot.  It’s awesome!” After a student-faculty three-legged race that pitted the classes against each other, the pep rally ended with a surprise, as Principal James Barlow awarded the Spirit Stick to the entire school, not just one grade like every year before.  This change made students like freshman Leah Estes feel as if everyone is included.  “No one is left out and everyone is happy because everyone won,” said Estes.

Less than two hours after the rally ended, the Homecoming Parade began, featuring floats decorated by clubs, classes, and even local businesses.  This year’s float winners included the Nurse’s Aide II/HOSA club for “Best Illumination,” the Interact Club for “Best Non-Profit Community,” Lake Christian Church for “Best Homecoming Theme,” and Future Farmers of America (FFA) for “Best Fluco Spirit” and “Grand Champion.”  

Fluvanna Education Foundation President Brigitte Van Tassel, whose group coordinated with the Student Government Association (SGA) to award the prizes, was pleased with the event. “It was a great success given the very short window the Fluvanna Education Foundation (FEF) and SGA were given. The judging was much easier this year due in large by the change in the location of the judges’ reviewing stand…FEF would like to thank our judges, Gena Keller, and her daughter Lauren, Steve Nichols, Jen Valentine, and Roxanne Carter-Johnston,” said Van Tassel.

The next event of the weekend was the Homecoming Football game.  The Flucos gathered at the track to cheer on their team later that evening as they took on Culpeper.  While the Flucos ended up losing 6-33, the evening still had its highlights, including the unveiling of Gavin Patrick as Homecoming King, and Meyah Barksdale-Carter as Homecoming Queen at halftime as the band played “I Want to Know What Love Is.”

But for many, the highest point of the weekend was getting dressed up to attend the Homecoming Dance.  Nearly 550 students came to enjoy the Mardi Gras-themed decorations thanks to weeks of hard work and preparation by SGA. It was an exciting and memorable night for everyone there.  “Everyone was on the dance floor!” said faculty member and SGA Adviser David Small.