This Friday, the 2024 Eureka Junior Senior High School Homecoming King and Queen will be crowned in a ceremony, at 1:15 p.m., in the Tornado Activity Center at EJSHS. The community is invited to attend.
Students in grades nine through twelve recently selected the following seniors as the 2024 Homecoming Court, for Queen: Aven Sanchez, Kimber Ptacek, Corinne Nelson, Olivia Valentine, and Trinity Samuels; for King: Kalim Mouer, Dalton Pool, Cody Johnson, Tanner Biering and Laken Valentine.
Each day of Homecoming Week the students will have a different theme to follow. This year the theme for the annual event is “A Home Sweet Homecoming.” Each day the students dress up according to a specific candy. Dress Up days for Spirit Week are: Monday: “Rolo’ver” - wear pajamas; Tuesday: “Skittles” - wear class colors (Seniors: blue, Juniors: red, Sophomores: purple, Freshmen: orange, 8th grade: green, 7th grade: yellow); Wednesday, all students will be participating in a Community Service Day - wear painting clothes and shoes; for the Pep Rally Wednesday evening: “Lifesavers” -wear beach/Hawaiian; Thursday: “Baby Ruth Bar”- wear a jersey; Friday: “Go Big Red” - wear red.
On Wednesday evening, Oct. 9, at McGinnis Field there will be a Powderpuff Football game at 6:30 p.m. followed by a Pep Rally at the bonfire. The community is invited to support the Tornadoes at each event.
The annual parade, showcasing the candidates, class and club floats, grand marshals and the EHS band, will leave the high school between 2 and 2:15 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 11. The band will travel south on Jeff erson Street, west on 1st Street, north on Main Street, and will turn east on 7th Street and then return to the school.
This year’s grand marshals are Joel and Sharyl Edmondson. The 2024 Crown Bearers are Marshall Elementary first graders Lovie McKee and Sebastian Foth. McKee is the daughter of Jonah McKee and Cayla Voegeli and Foth is the son of Jordon and Catherine Foth. Lovie wants to be a cheerleader when she grows up and Bash wants to be a lineman, “just like my daddy.”
The Alumni Class of 1975 will be honored during this year’s homecoming festivities. They will be given a tour of the high school, and will ride in the parade.
Eureka Tornado football will be hosting West Franklin on Friday night. Kick-off is slated for 7 p.m. A special caravan will also be held. Those wishing to participate should meet at 7th and Main Streets in Eureka by 6 p.m.
The Homecoming Court will be announced during a special halftime ceremony, with the 2023 Homecoming King Trayton “Carl” Biering and Queen Lyndsey Escareno assisting.
All King and Queen candidates are members of the senior class. The following backgrounds were provided, listing the candidates’ high school activities and accomplishments.
Cody Lee Johnson
Cody Lee Johnson, 17, is the son of Alan and Michelle Johnson, of rural Eureka. He has participated in football 4 years; basketball 2 years; track 1 year; FFA 4 years; FCA 4 years, WILD Science 1 year and National Honor Society 3 years. He has served as class Treasurer all 4 years, FFA Sentinel 1 year and a STUCO representative for 1 year. He is a member of the Harmony Sunflowers 4-H Club and the Christian and Congregational Church. In 4-H, he has served as his club’s Treasurer and has been a Greenwood County 4-H Council member for 4 years holding offices of Council Parliamentarian and Reporter.
Some of his special honors include all A High Honor Roll for 3 years and receiving Tornado Awards for 3 years.
After graduation, he plans to attend Butler Community College and then transfer to Kansas State University to pursue a degree in animal science. Dalton Robey Pool
Dalton Robey Pool, 17, is the son of James and Jennifer West of Eureka.
He has participated in band 4 years; football 2 years; baseball 2 years; wrestling 1 year; WILD Science 2 years; and Foreign Language Club 1 year. Some of his special honors include regular Honor Roll, Tornado Awards for Band, Physical Conditioning and drumline. He has also lettered in band, baseball and football.
After graduation, he plans to attend college on scholarship for baseball.
Tanner Scott Biering
Tanner Scott Biering, 17, is the son of Josh and Lexie Biering of Eureka. He has participated in football 4 years; FCA 3 years; basketball 3 years; baseball 3 years; WILD Science 2 years; Foreign Language Club 2 years and SADD 1 year. He has also participated in travel baseball for 7 years. He helps with the Eureka Honors Club and Eureka Safe Night After Prom.
His academic honors include the High Honor Roll, Regular Honor Roll, Tornado Awards in English, Chemistry and Scholastic Achievement. He has received a letter in football and basketball for 1 year and baseball for 3 years.
After graduation, he plans to join the workforce.
Kalim Joseph Mouer
Kalim Joseph Mouer, 18, is the son of Dave and Christine Mouer of Eureka.
He has participated in football 4 years; track 3 years and basketball 1 year. He is a member of the Sacred Heart Church. Some of his special honors include all “A” Honor Roll, High Honor Roll, All League Defensive Linebacker, District and Grasslands 1st Team Linebacker, TVL Honorable Mention Running Back, track 4x1 TVL record, 5th at state 4x1 and breaking the school record twice at 43.59.
After graduation, he plans to attend Pratt Community College for lineman school.
Laken James Valentine Laken James Valentine, 17, is the son of Lucas and Amber Valentine of Eureka.
He has participated in football 4 years; basketball 3 years; track 1 year; FCA 4 years; National Honor Society 2 years; FBLA 1 year and SADD 1 year. He has also served as class Vice President for 3 years and is currently the senior class Treasurer.
His academic honors include High Honor Roll for 3 years and Academic Letter for 3 years. In athletics, he has lettered in both football and basketball. As a sophomore, he was named TVL All League Honorable Mention Defensive Back and All District 2nd Team Safety. His junior year he made All TVL League Safety, All Grasslands 1st Team Defensive Back and All District 2nd Team Defensive Back in football and was TVL Honorable Mention in basketball.
He is a member of the Jefferson Street Baptist Church and also played basketball for the SEK Team for 2 years.
After graduation, he plans to attend Pittsburg State University to pursue a degree in Exercise Science. Corinne Rayelle Nelson
Corinne Rayelle Nelson, 17, is the daughter of Jamie and Stephanie Nelson of rural Toronto.
She has participated in volleyball 4 years; basketball 1 year; basketball manager 1 year; FCA 4 years; FFA 4 years; Foreign Language Club 3 years; Eureka Honors Club 3 years; National Honor Society 2 years and WILD Science 2 years. She has served as Freshman and Senior Class President and held the position of FFA Chapter President for 2 years.
Outside of school, she has participated in 4-H for 12 years with her club and has been member of the Greenwood County 4-H Council for 5 years. She also served as a Greenwood County 4-H Ambassador for 2 years.
Her honors include all “A” High Honor Roll, High Honor Roll, and Academic Letters for 3 years. She has also earned Tornado Awards in Scholastic Achievement, English II and III, Algebra II/College Algebra, Chemistry and Spanish II.
After graduation, she plans to attend Kansas State University and pursue a degree in Agricultural Education.
Kimber Rylee Ptacek Kimber Rylee Ptacek, 17, is the daughter of Brendan and Tabitha Ptacek of rural Eureka.
She has participated in Cheer 1 year; Volleyball 4 years; Basketball 4 years; Track 4 years; FFA 3 years; FCA 4 years; Eureka Honors Club 3 years; National Honor Society 3 years; Book Club 2 years; WILD Science 1 year and Foreign Language Club 2 years. She served as her class Vice President her Freshman year, Class President her Sophomore and Junior year, FCA President her Junior and Senior year and was the STUCO representative for National Honor Society (NHS) her Junior year and is currently the NHS Vice President.
Her academic honors include High Honor Roll, Bausch & Lomb Science Award and academic letter for 3 years. She has also received Tornado Awards for Algebra, Spanish I and III, Physical Conditioning, Earth Space Science, Business Essentials, Scholastic Achievement, Geometry, English II and III, Biology, Chemistry, Teacher’s Aide and Algebra II/College Algebra. She has lettered in cheer for 1 year, basketball for 3 years and track for 3 years.
After graduation she plans to attend Oklahoma State University to pursue a degree in pharmaceutical studies and become a manager for the OSU Cowgirls basketball team.
Olivia Kay Valentine
Olivia Kay Valentine, 17, is the daughter of Lucas and Amber Valentine of Eureka.
She has participated in Cheer 4 years; Track 4 years; FCA 4 years, WILD Science 2 years; National Honor Society 3 years; and Powerlifting 4 years. She has served as class Secretary for 4 years, National Honor Society Secretary and current President, FCA STUCO rep and is a Cheer Captain.
Outside of school she is a member of the Jefferson Street Baptist Church. Her academic honors include High Honor Roll.
After graduation, Olivia plans to go to Butler Community College for 2 years and then transfer to Pittsburg State University to pursue a degree in Nursing. Aven KayLee Sanchez Aven KayLee Sanchez, 17, is the daughter of Luis and Amanda Sanchez of Eureka.
She has participated in volleyball for 4 years; Foreign Language Club for 1 year; WILD Science Club for 1 year; Art Club for 1 year; Foreign Language Club Media Rep for 1 year and is currently Yearbook Senior Editor.
Her special honors include High Honor Roll, Regular Honor Roll and Tornado Awards in English and Ceramics II.
After graduation, she plans to attend Eric Fisher Academy for cosmetology. Trinity Paige Samuels
Trinity Paige Samuels, 17, is the daughter of Shawna Shepherd of Eureka; and Cris Samuels and Rebecca Randall of Eureka.
She has participated in Cheer 1 year, Volleyball 2 years and Softball 3 years. She has been a member of SADD 1 year, Wild Science 2 years, FCA 4 years, Foreign Language 2 years, Book Club 1 year and FCCLA 4 years, where she has been the Secretary, Vice President, President and Vice President of the District H Power of 1. She has been a member of STUCO for 2 years and has served as Historian and is currently the STUCO Vice President.
Her honors include TVL Honorable Mention in Volleyball, and academic honors include the Regular Honor Roll, High Honor Roll, Tornado Awards in English 1, English 2, Biology, Spanish 2, Algebra 2 and Academic Letter.
Her extracurricular activities include playing Motley Crue Softball and being a member of the Jefferson Street Baptist Church Youth Group.
After graduation, she plans to attend college to pursue a degree in radiology for a certificate in sonography.
