ESCANABA, Mich. (WZMQ) – On Friday, the Escanaba Eskymos kicked off their homecoming weekend.
“Today is one of the most special days for Eskymos,” said Escanaba Jr/Sr High School Principal Darci Stenfors.
The senior class began the day with a march through the school hallways. The chorale and marching band also filled the halls throughout the day, playing the school’s fight song.
“There’s nothing better than hearing that marching band just reverberating off the walls,” Stenfors said. “It’s just the best feeling.”
All 1,100 members of the student body attended a pep assembly later in the day, honoring the fall sports teams.
“One of the things I always push is homecoming is where we unite as Eskymos,” said Stenfors. “A lot of times in years past, they’d want to compete against each other. Instead, I like to see them come together as one.”
After school, the Eskymos held a parade through Downtown Escanaba. Family, friends, and community members lined Ludington Street to support the football team, cheerleaders, marching band, and other students.
Stenfors says homecoming is more than a day of fun for students; it is an opportunity to bring all of Escanaba together.
“It’s always an exciting time here within our building, but when you step out, you realize how much homecoming affects our local community as well,” Stenfors said. “It’s really nice to see everybody coming out in that orange and black to honor our own and celebrate what it means to us to be an Eskymo.”
The Eskymos concluded the evening with a football game against the Marquette Redmen. At halftime, the homecoming king and queen were crowned.
Students will wrap up homecoming week with the annual dance on Saturday.