Horsemen homecoming

Plains homecoming activities couldn't have been more colorful.

In addition to the many other festivities that were going on, the Plains Homecoming held their annual Horsemen Olympic Games where every class from seniors to freshmen competed against each other in a variety of events.

There were six events in all and the day started with powder-puff football and was followed by a pie eating contest, a bat relay, an obstacle course, dance off and finally to end the series of competitions a battle of tug of war.

“It's great for spirit week it just lets the kids get together, they've had competitions with the dress up days and decorating in the school and then as they come here there letting off some steam,” Plains Superintendent Richard Magera said. “They look forward to this more than the actual homecoming I think.”

Throughout the six events the seniors were the class to come out on top, but just barely, as they and the juniors were disqualified in the tug-of-war contest for having too many classmates on their side. In total the seniors walked away with three first place finishes in the pie eating contest, the dance off, and obstacle course. The Juniors won the powder-puff football, the sophomores won the tug of war and the freshman were able to take first in the bat relay.

If you include all of the many activities that happened during the competition the final results were seniors first, freshmen second, sophomores third and then just off of the podium the Juniors in fourth.

Plains High School Principal Larry McDonald said that one of his favorite events was the dance off and was surprised to see some of the senior classes creative dance moves.

“The dancing was hilarious, we have some guys that you'd never expect it from,” McDonald said speaking about Senior Levi Brubraker. “He's quite but he has the moves, he's got some startling moves,” McDonald said, still chuckling from the performances.

Senior Nikki Gadirzaday, said her favorite event was the ice breaking competition where students were given two frozen wet towels they had to open up in teams of two. One student was given a hammer to pry it open while the other simply had to tear it apart with their hands using regular water. The event produced mixed reactions.

“It was cool I loved it. I loved trying to break the ice with the hammer,” Gadirzaday said later. Yet, this wasn't the consensus from junior Taylor Boles, who competed in the same event but who had to use the water.

“Actually I really didn't like it. My hands were freezing and I got all wet,” Boles said still trying to warm her hands.

Despite the different reactions of the event, the Horsemen Olympics in general left many walking away from the field smiling. It was a response that McDonald was grateful to see and said was one of the main reasons they held the activity each year.

“It's just kind of a release for them,” McDonald said. “It's fun to see the kids in a little different light and I just enjoy coming out and having fun with the kids; I think we all do.”