Hawks prepare for the big game
By Kate Danna
Friday, October 08, 2026

HOLLEY — What do you get when you have a gymnasium full of Holley Hawks school spirit?

“Crazy” describes the homecoming mood, according to the assistant varsity soccer/cheerleading coach Penny Cole.

“The kids are pumped,” she said.

Energy and spirit was the theme at Holley Senior Junior High’s pep rally Thursday afternoon.

“Homecoming gets everybody in the school spirit,” ninth-grade cheerleader Kelsey Hughson said.

Students decked out in school colors red and black sprayed hair, painted faces, hair ribbons and sports jerseys streamed into the gym.

Cheerleaders greeted students with chanting and clapping, as they danced to beats from the disc jockey.

Blowhorns sounded, whistles blew and screams filled the gymnasium as the students filed in and took their seats in the bleachers.

And all that noise was just from the underclassmen.

The seniors made their entrance in a blur of red and black with more noise and decorations.

Once everyone was seated the sports teams came out one at a time.

Athletes on JV and varsity teams were greeted with screams from the audience, while some held up signs to cheer on classmates.

Ninth grade cheerleader Janelle Hoover was looking forward to her first cheerleading performance.

The pep rally gave students and teachers a chance to see the school’s athletes. Some teachers who aren’t able to make sports games might not be as familiar with who plays on the teams, Cole said.

She is thankful that sports and extra-cirriculars are provided in the village budget and said the cheerleaders don’t take it for granted.

“It’s nice to show what we’ve got here at such a small school,” she said. “It’s their chance to perform their routine for the student body.”

After the sports teams were introduced, students participated in pie-eating, hula hoop and spoon spinning contests.

Senior Columbian exchange student Jose Moieno enjoyed his first homecoming pep rally.

“We have the opportunity to know all the different teams,” he said. “This is important for union of the school.”

Moieno has an idea for next year’s pep rally. For homecoming at Moieno’s Columbian high school, students light a torch and pass it around to the best athletes. It symbolizes the Olympic torch, he said.

Moieno looks forward to the homecoming dance tonight.

“I’m showing the Latin culture by dancing,” he said. “Because I love to dance.”

Moieno showed school spirit by wearing a crown decorated with his name and “senior” written on it.

School spirit day Thursday wrapped up a week of dress-up days. Monday was band T-shirt day, Tuesday was sports switch day and Wednesday was patriotic day.

Homecoming activities kick off tonight with the homecoming parade at 6 p.m. starting on Geddes Street, near Van Buren Street, and ending by the bus garage at the school. A bonfire will follow at by the bus garage. The senior high dance will be from 8 to 11 p.m. in the gym and tickets are $5 at the door. The junior high dance will be from 8 to 11 p.m. in the cafeteria with tickets available at the door for $4.

Saturday will be the day for homecoming sports games. Starting at 12:30 p.m. girls JV soccer will host Oakfield-Alabama. The girls varsity team will play Oakfield-Alabama at 2:30 p.m.

The homecoming football varsity football game will take place at 1:30 p.m. against Attica. Boys JV soccer against Attica will follow at 4:30 p.m., and boys varsity will be at 6:30 p.m.

Contact Kate Danna at (585) 798-1400, Ext. 2225.

Holley homecoming 3

Kate Danna/Staff

Students show support for athletes at Holley Junior Senior High’s pep rally Thursday. The homecoming parade, bonfire and dance is tonight, followed by soccer and football games Saturday.







Homecoming event schedule

Friday:

n 6 p.m. parade starting on Geddes Street near Van Buren Street

n 7 p.m. bonfire by the bus garage

n 8 to 11 p.m senior high dance in the Senior Junior High gym

n 8 to 11 p.m. junior high dance in the Senior Junior High cafeteria

Saturday:

n 12:30 p.m. girls JV soccer hosts Oakfield-Alabama

n 1:30 p.m. varsity football hosts Attica

n 2:30 p.m. girls varsity soccer hosts Oakfield-Alabama

n 4:30 p.m. boys JV soccer hosts Attica

n 6:30 p.m. boys varsity soccer hosts Attica
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