Homecoming Set To Be Largest Celebration In Quinlan ISD History

"The largest celebration in school history is set to take place this fall!" is what organizers say about the 2009 Quinlan Independent School District Homecoming Week.

Homecoming week’s activities already announced include a Community Bonfire and Pep Rally on Wednesday, Oct. 21, after church services at the W.H. Ford High School parking lot.

On Friday, Oct. 23, a Hall of Fame Induction Luncheon will be held at 11 a.m., invitation required.

Also on Friday will be the W.H. Ford High School Pep Rally at 2:45 p.m. Those attending will be required to sign-in at the office.

The pre-game ceremony will begin at 6:45 p.m. at Hobart Lytal Field, followed by the homecoming game.

A full day of activities are planned Saturday, Oct. 24, beginning with line-up for the Homecoming Parade at 8:30 a.m. The parade will roll at 11 a.m.

Communications Director Tiffony Hopper said participation in the parade was open to all groups, graduating classes, former queens and kings and all former teams.

The parade route would start at D.C. Cannon Elementary School, travel north on Spur 264, turn right on State Highway 276 through downtown; turn right on Piccadilly Street (by QISD Administration Building); turn left on Richmond Street; turn right on Clardy Drive and return to the Butler campus.

Set-up begins at 6 a.m. for the Hometown Homecoming Barbecue Cook-Off. Judging of the barbecue will be at noon. Winners will be announced at 1:30 p.m. Barbecue plates will be sold from noon through 2:30 p.m.

Entry fee in the cookoff is $10 for each category for trophy prizes and bragging rights with all proceeds going to the QISD Education Foundation.

Tug-of-War Games begin at 1 p.m. Registration for flag football games begins at 1 p.m. Games start at 1:15 p.m. Some suggestions listed were basketball-even-years vs. basketball-odd-years; band vs. choir-drill team; FFA vs. FCCLA (formerly FHA); and PALs and Student Council vs. NHS-FCA. An Alumni Flat Football Game will be played at 3 p.m. with a pre-game ceremony at 2:30 p.m. To participate in the Flag Football games, players need to register in advance with the high school cheerleaders. T-shirts will be on sale for players to wear that day and are available for alumni to pre-purchase. The even years will wear alumni red shirts, and the odd years will wear alumni blue shirts. Shirts are $10 each. To play or watch and cheer in the alumni game, cost will be $3, which includes the game and street dance.

The Fall Festival begins at 4 p.m. "If you would like to rent a space at the 73rd Annual Fall Festival, contact Bonita Hobden at W.H. Ford High School at 903-356-1602, email bonita.hobden@quinlanisd.net or contact the FHS FFA," Hopper said. "School groups are $25 and non-school groups are $35 with all proceeds benefiting the FHS-FFA program. FFA Sponsors are Keith Floyd at keith.floyd@quinlanisd.net and Jerry Ward at jerry.ward@quinlanisd.net."

She said the school district would also feature its first-ever Homecoming Street Dance to be held between 7 and 9 p.m. "Tommy Joe Wilson from the class of 1990 will be performing," Hopper said. "Are there any more alumni musician artists out there? Contact Tiffony Hopper at tiffony.hopper@quinlanisd.net if you would like to perform."

Hopper said Wilson had several websites featuring his music in Nashville. "We are excited Tommy is willing to come home and celebrate the largest celebration in our school’s history," she said. "Anyone who would like to know more about Tommy Wilson should check out one of his websites at http://eventful.com/performers/tommy-joe-wilson-/P0-001-000192054-2.

"Everything after the parade will take place at W.H. Ford High School," Hopper said. "To participate in any event, email Tiffony Hopper for the registration forms."

Nominations are now open for the 2nd Annual QISD Hall of Fame. "QISD is now officially calling for nominations for our 2nd Annual Hall of Fame Induction," Hopper said. "They are due no later than Tuesday, Sept. 22."

She said, "As part of Quinlan ISD’s celebration of past and future, Quinlan ISD instituted the Quinlan ISD Hall of Fame Program in the fall of 2008. The purpose of the program is to honor former students or former employees that have distinguished themselves in a specific field of endeavor, in civic affairs, in humanitarian affairs or in activities deemed by the hall of fame committee to merit special recognition. It is our hope that today’s students will consider these inductees worthy of emulation. We believe the Quinlan ISD Hall of Fame Program will help develop a more positive school climate and bring our community together in sharing the successes of our sons and daughters. Great school and civic leaders were selected to be inducted into the first QISD Hall of Fame."

The 2008 nominees included Walter Harris Ford Jr., Charlie B. Thompson, Jack A. Cobb, Joe Martin, Douglas P. Pritchett and Deanna Robinson-Katsuki.

Hopper said, "These individuals represent outstanding leadership in their respective fields. They serve as role models and represent high standards for being inducted into the QISD Hall of Fame. A committee of citizens, faculty and administrators will select the inductee from nominations submitted by members of the community."

Formal induction into the hall of fame will be held on Friday, Oct. 23. Nominees will be treated to a special luncheon, induction ceremony and special mementos.

Nominating forms are available at the Quinlan Educational Center, on the QISD website or by emailing Hopper at tiffony.hopper@quinlanisd.net. Forms are due by Tuesday, Sept. 22. Completed forms must be returned to Hall of Fame Nomination Committee; Attention: Tiffony Hopper; Quinlan ISD; 301 East Main (mailing address); 401 Richmond St. (physical address); Quinlan, Tex. 75474.