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Show Wednesday, September 20, 2006 B1 Uintah High School homecoming activities focus on alumni By Jennifer Petty Express Writer Chris Piner, a Uintah High School graduate who now teaches teach-es at UHS, helieves the true meaning of homecoming has sort of been lost. In years past, homecoming week has seemed to be about the football game, but said Piner, "Homecoming is really a celebration of alumni. It's supposed to be a welcome home for them. The football game is just one of the things we can do to celebrate the history his-tory of Uintah High School." Now Piner serves as the faculty fac-ulty representative for the student stu-dent council and is trying to bring back an alumni focus to the week. The idea goes along with trying to develop a sense 3f tradition and heritage in the student body The students will be alumni a lot longer than they will be students and we want to keep them coming back and having pride in the school, said Piner. This year the theme for the week is "Look at us now", which is the same theme for the graduating gradu-ating class of 1987, which left the UHS halls 20 years ago. The class of 1987 was the first class to graduate from the current building. Student council representatives rep-resentatives looked at the yearbook year-book for the class of 1987 and tried to find similarities and differences between the school, student styles, and activities. Sam Hadlock, student body president said, "It's interesting to look back and see how far we've come." Some of the differences differ-ences now in UHS culture that student council members found were gray carpet in the lobby instead of red, a Homecoming queen and king (in '87 there was no king), and no debate team now. Hadlock and the other student stu-dent council members have embraced em-braced the idea of homecoming as an alumni celebration. Daniel Dan-iel Gurr, one of the representatives representa-tives said, "We're trying to celebrate cele-brate the past and history of the school. Homecoming is really for previous classes." The trick is trying to get alumni alum-ni to recognize that homecoming homecom-ing is for them. Piner noted that the homecoming dance, which is now seen as almost strictly as a dance for high school students, stu-dents, is really supposed to be an alumni dance. Piner said he would love to see the dance floor covered with all generations of UHS graduates. Kenny Mohar, who graduated graduat-ed in '87, now teaches chemistry at Uintah High. "It's kind of a surprise to be back at the school went to," he said. During the homecoming preparations Mo- UHS students recreated pictures like the one above from the '87 year-har year-har had the chance to reflect ,ook with current students (below) to use as dance decorations. 0m, VemalUtah 1820V Hwy.40.SteF 435-781-2500 5790 Expressions Basin Life . V - : A Flag twirlers like Shandi Perry ('97) performed for UHS students. back 20 years ago to when he was a student. Mohar feels that the school is quite similar to what he remembers. When asked about how he felt about focusing homecoming homecom-ing on alumni and getting them involved, Mohar replied, "I've always known it should focus on alumni, but it's hard to do that because many alumni are away" One major effort of Piner and the students to recognize alumni came during the alumni assembly yesterday During the assembly, alumni performers impressed the crowd. Flag twirlers, twirl-ers, which UHS no longer has, performed and alumni cheerleaders cheer-leaders did a fashion show with current cheerleaders and old cheerleading outfits. The musical mu-sical performances included singing by Blaine Pierce and accompanied ac-companied by Brian Litton and a classical guitar piece was performed per-formed by Paul Millecam. "The assembly," said Piner, "is the essence of what homecoming is. We really want to celebrate our alumni. It's really important to us." Student council members are also looking back at traditions tradi-tions and styles of the 80s by looking through yearbooks and having a day that focuses on 80s style. Several council members mentioned that the clothes back then were different, but the 80s style is making a comeback in Uintah High School's halls. One of the favorite projects the student stu-dent council undertook in their packing 3 bedroonu, 2 bath condo. Located on North Vernal Avenue. Call for an appointment today! 7904482 - 0482 Principal Stearmer awards Grant Hacking with the Ute pin at the Alumni ceremony. flashback celebration is re-capturing some of the photos that were in the yearbook in 1987. This year has probably seen the most effort concerning putting put-ting alumni back into the homecoming home-coming celebration. "Homecoming "Homecom-ing should give us a sense of belonging and unity especially in a community like Qursjljat .is ; a one high school community," said Piner. "SoHmany" people" in the community have come through the halls of the same high school. What a great way to unify our community and celebrate something that many people in the community have in common." Piner said that they were trying try-ing to get banners made to put on the light posts on Main Street for homecoming week, but those if, Tressa Woods 790-8882 iT -r" .'-.pip ' v' Si Blaine Pierce received a standing ovation for his rendition of "If I Were a Rich Man" from "The Fiddler on the Roof" during the alumni assembly. will not be done in time for this year's celebration, but will be here for next year. Piner also said, "We would love to have even more participation par-ticipation in the assembly next year. The kids really love it and it is one of the best assemblies of the year." Homecoming Activities Monday - "Look At Our Royalty!" Dress your royal best for school. Homecoming Royalty Assembly Lunchtime Activity "Royal Servant Auction" Bid on student council members to serve you for a day, deliver your books to class, bring your lunch, drive you to school, etc... Tuesday -"Look At The 80s!" Dress in clothes from the 1980s Alumni Talent Assembly Presentation of Grand Marshall Lunchtime Activity "Dance Competition" Wednesday - "Look At Our Jammies!" Wear your pajamas to school (dress code still applies) Lunchtime Activity "Cartoons in the Commons and Storytime" Bring blankies, pillows and teddy bears too! Whitewashing the "U" Thursday - "Look For Us!" A.K.A. Game Day Wear camouflage Games and activities start at 1:00 Pep Rally 6:00 P.M. on the football field Homecoming Royalty Announced Friday -"Look At Our Spirit!" Seniors wear Black, Juniors wear Red, Sophomores wear White Homecoming Parade starts at 1:00 at the Middle School Football game vs. Park City Miners 7:00 P.M. Halftime fireworks, performances, and Illuminating the "U" on U Hill Saturday - "Look At us Nowr Homecoming Dance in the Upper Commons 8:30-11:30 P.M. ALL ALUMNI INVITED! 3 bedrooms, z bama on mam i Framed and wired for 3 bedrooms and 1 bath downstahs. Call Treasa Woods 790882 ' , Piner hopes that more and more alumni will feel that homecoming is for them, but even if he has a hard time drawing draw-ing them back in, Piner hopes to create new alumni from present students that feel more connection connec-tion and affinity to the school. vernalsocietyyahoo.com Kalene Gamble 828-7325 Great k family It H. .ill V I , f ! t? 1 ; aaaaana ., ,. - wmmiMmmmammm Community Calendar August 20 - Sept. 21 The Associated Utah Artists show is now on display at the Western Heritage Museum until Sept. 21. The museum is open Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Saturday from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. September 20 The Big Fix Discount Mobile SpayNeuter Clinic will be in Vernal at Milt's Ace Hardware parking lot. Call 789-2367 for appointments. Micro-chipping and vaccinations vacci-nations available to anyone while veterinarian is at the premises. Arrive early, space is limited. Intake 8 a.m. until full. Female dog $50, male dog $40, female cat $30, male cat $20. Family plan (mom and litter fixed-litter must be less than 6 months old) - Family cat plan $90, Family dog plan $135. Animals must be between 8 weeks and 6 years of age. Do not feed pet after 9 p.m. the night before surgery if pet is over 4 mos.; do not feed after 6 a.m. if under 4 mos. Water ok. Cats must be in labeled carriers. For more info caU toll-free 1-866-PETS FIX (1-866-7387 349). September 21 The Big Fix Discount Mobile Spay Neuter Clinic will be in Roosevelt at Stewarts Thriftway Parking Lot. See above information regarding prices and number for contact. con-tact. Duchesne County Library Bedtime Story Hour for children chil-dren at 6 p.m. Contact DDI Vantage for questions or information. 435 722-3008. September 22 Community dance at the Golden Age Center, 155 South 100 West from 8 to 10 p.m. every Friday night. Kay's Band provides the music. Disabled American Veterans and Ladies Auxiliary of the Uintah Basin Chapter 10 will meet at 7:00 p.m. in the conference con-ference room in the Uintah County building. September 22, 23 Parker Horse Sale at Western Park. Call 789-7396 for more information. September 23 Oktoberfest to be held at St. Paul's Episcopal Church. Call 789-1806 for more information. September 25 A community Bible Study to be held every Monday at 7 p.m. at 3630 South 1500 East. Entries for the Annual Juried Photography Shootout will be accepted at the Western Heritage Museum 328 E. 200 S. from 9-5. Call 790-0858 790-0858 or 888-240-2080 with questions. ques-tions. September 27-October 27 The annual Juried Photography exhibit will be on display at the Western Heritage Museum. A reception recep-tion will be held October 4 from 6:30-8 p.m. September 29 GED test given at Uintah School District Office, Friday and Saturday. Those interested inter-ested in taking the test need to fill out an application at Ashley Valley Education Center, 250 S. Vernal Ave., or at the School District Office, by Thursday, Sept. 28 at 4 p.m. The test fee is $55, with retakes available for $llsub-test. $llsub-test. Contact Shela Swain or David John at 781-3100, ext. 2841. Community dance at the Golden Age Center, 155 South 100 West from 8 to 10 p.m. every Friday night. Kay's Band provides the music. September 30 National Public Lands Day at Pariette Wetlands BLM, call Karen 781-4437. To place items of public interest inter-est in the Community Calendar, call 789-3511 or email them to editorvernal.com location, over 3200 so. ft. formal Hvtnti, dmiM, room. 7 bedrooms, 3 baths. Sits on a wry large lot CaD Kalene Gamble 828-7325 |