Looking Back: Homecoming

by Marcia Napier, Grain Valley Historical Society

     This is homecoming week at Grain Valley High School, so I thought it would be fun to look back at some previous celebrations.  Funny thing is, I forgot to check out the actual homecoming games. Who did Grain Valley play? Did they win the game? What was the final score?
     Instead, I looked for photos of the week and the memories that we all have of homecoming. Whether it is 1952 or 2022, whether Grain Valley High School had 135 students or 1,500 students, some things never change.

1952 Homecoming Queen                              
Donna Mann with Roger Burnett, Captain of the Football Team  

1962 Homecoming Queen     
Marcile Vose

1973 Homecoming Queen            
Ginger Thompson

1982 Marching Band

1982 Homecoming Queen                            
Karen Lyons
(un-named escort)

1962 Homecoming Float

And finally, cheerleaders at the 1962 Homecoming, parade.

Photo credit: Grain Valley Historical Society

     I remember the Thursday night Spirit Rally and Bonfire, where we burned in effigy, a football player of the opposing team. I recall the Homecoming Parade lead by the Marching Eagles. “Back in the day,” the entire school marched down Main Street. From first grade through high school, we all marched.  There may have been more in the parade than watching the parade. And I remember half-time when the Homecoming Queen was crowned. Homecoming Kings didn’t exist until the 1990s.
     If you got a laugh from some of these old photos, come to the game on Friday night when our Grain Valley Eagles take on the Kewpies from Columbia Hickman. Yes, Columbia Hickman. When I was in high school, our entire town had fewer people than the student body at Hickman. Stop by the Alumni Tent and see more old photographs from GVHS!

​And, Go Eagles!