Left to right: Brooke Duggan, Cassie Hnatko, Addison Kilpatrick, Gio Patire, Ella Smith, Justin Blanding, Kayden Barrett, Elisa Cremona, Briana Blaszczyk, Scarlett Ayres
Photo provided by Ben Scholl
By: Briana Blaszczyk
On Friday October 4, Wallenpaupack crowned its 2024 Homecoming King, Justin Blanding, and Queen, Ella Smith. But did you know the road to this honor begins weeks before the Friday Homecoming Game? In September, Seniors have the opportunity to nominate four of their peers for the Homecoming Court. Of these nominated students, only 10 seniors are chosen. They must be involved in two or more extracurricular/community activities or organizations, be current Wallenpaupack Area High School students, and be in good standing with the school. This year’s Paupack Homecoming Court included Justin Blanding, Scarlett Ayres, Gio Patire, Kayden Barrett, Addison Kilpatrick, Ella Smith, Brooke Duggar, Elisa Cremona, Cassie Hnatko, and me (Briana Blaszczyk). We were each interviewed before school on Tuesday October 1, and then a teacher vote took place. Every vote/interview would garner the students’ “points” and the two students with the most points are crowned “Paupack Royalty” at the Homecoming Football Game!
I was honored to be a part of this tradition. The acknowledgement at the Homecoming Dance, walking with my siblings at the pep-rally, and even sprinting off the field to join my parents for our announcement after Friday’s halftime Band/Color-guard performance was a whirlwind of excitement and pride. The Paupack Press wants to congratulate Justin and Ella, and thank all the advisors, student council members, and administrators who made Wallenpaupack’s Homecoming Dance, Pep-Rally, and Football Game successful.