It’s Bluffton High School’s 2014 homecoming week. The event includes a Friday parade and coronation of a homecoming king and queen.
Following Friday’s parade the 2014 court will be introduced during the pre-game at Harmon Field. The king and queen will be announced at that time.
• PARADE DETAILS ARE AT THE BOTTOM OF THIS STORY.
• PHOTOS AND VIDEOS OF THE COURT AND DRIVERS ARE AT THE BOTTOM OF THIS STORY.
Here are members of the court:
Senior king candidates
Brady Parkins, son of Scott and Debra Parkins, 108 E. Kibler St., Bluffton. He participates in football, basketball and track. He has enlisted in the U.S. Navy delayed entry program after high school.
Joshua Garmatter, son of Scott and Kimberly Garmatter, 609 Lausanne Ave., Bluffton. He participates in Latin Club, Math Club, SADD Club, Student Senate, is class president, SADD Club, Peer Facilitation and is a member of the National Honor Society.
Outside school interests include catechist at St. Mary’s Catholic Church, swim team, manager at Bluffton McDonald’s and volunteen at St. Rita’s Medical Center. After graduation he hopes to major in pre-med and biological sciences.
Austin Bricker, son of Tracie Bricker, 187 Garmatter St., Bluffton, participates in football, basketball, baseball and the Northwest Conference Sportsmanship Committee.
Outside school interests include membership at First United Methodist Church. He was a junior homecoming attendant. His future plans are undecided.
• CLICK HERE FOR A VIDEO OF THE UNDERCLASSMEN
CLICK HERE FOR A VIDEO OF THE DRIVERS
THE SENIOR VIDEO IS AT THE BOTTOM OF THIS STORY
Senior queen candidates
Olivia Sneary, daughter of Cyndee and Dan Sneary, 129 E. Elm St., Bluffton, participates in cross country, softball, powerlifting, post-secondary, is president of the student senate, class officer, National Honor Society, scholar athlete, Northwest Conference Sportsmanship Committee, Math Club, student helper, president of SADD Club and is a member of the National Latin Honor Society.
Outside school interests include cashier at Community Market, and employee of Ideal Images, tutoring and a member of her church youth group. She was a sophomore homecoming attendant. After graduation she plans to be a biology major in a pre-med path.
Adel Sommers, daughter of Tom and Cindy Sommers, 10320 Bucher Road, Columbus Grove, participates in Drama Club, spring musical, track, SADD Club, choir, chamber choir and is a student helper at the elementary school.
Outside school interests include attending Ebenezer Mennonite Church where she is involved in small groups there and at St. John Mennonite. She is also in Teens for Christ and Youth for Christ. She plans to attend Grace College and major in early childhood education.
Lauren Parkins, daughter of Chad and Kristen Parkins, 475 Riley St., Bluffton, participates in Latin Club, choir, volleyball, basketball, softball, Northwest Conference Sportsmanship Committee, Allen Lima Youth Leadership Program, NWC scholar athlete, and is captain of the volleyball team.
Outside school interests include member of the Emmanuel United Church of Christ youth group, hospital volunteer and high school helper in the middle school cafeteria. She plans to major in nursing after high school.
Underclass members of the court
Juniors
Justine Mitchell, daughter of Gary and Rebecca Mitchell, 1484 County Road 50, Alger, is a member of Spanish Club, Math Club, tennis and track. Outside school interests include member of Gold Star 4-H Club of Hancock County, Luther Society youth group at Trinity Lutheran Church, Jenera.
Gianfranco Paolo Colombo, exchange student from Germany, host parents are Alice and Jan Basinger, 144 Hillcrest Dr., Bluffton, parents are Fabiola Espinoza and Armando Walter Colombo. He plays soccer at BHS. His outside interests include member of the St. John Mennonite Church youth group. He is a YFU exchange student from Germany.
Sophomores
Sierra Ribley, daughter of Shawn Ribley and Kristi and Joe Brinkman, 417 Ethan Circle, Bluffton, is in soccer, track, art club and Latin Club.
Ryan Sprague, son of Jon and Aimee Sprague, Bluffton, 64 Anna Circle, Bluffton, plays tennis. Outside interests include member of Gateway Church.
Freshmen
Allison Wise, daughter of Shanda Wright and Chad Wise, 11780 Phllips Road, Pandora, is in cheerleading, track and choir. Outside interests include membership at Forest Park Church.
Dakota Bricker, son of Tracie Bricker, 187 Garmatter St., Bluffton, is in football, basketball and baseball. He attends First United Methodist Church, Bluffton.
Homecoming drivers
Senior drivers during the homecoming are:
• Colin Thierjung, 111 Alpine Drive, Bluffton, son of Connie and Scott Walther
• Brad Steigerwalt, 18563 County Road 15, Bluffton, son of Bill and Tammy Steigerwalt
• Kayla Phillips, 11515 Lafayette Road, Ada, daughter of Tricia Rayl
• Kevin Childs, 8190 Tom Fett Road, Bluffton, son of Kerry Childs and Bob Flores
• Kathryn Basinger, 9998 Zurflugh Road, Bluffton, daughter of David and Lora Basinger
• Emma Burkholder, 7845 N. Thayer Road, Columbus Grove, daughter of Stephen and Laurel Burkholder
• Machaela McClintock (information not available)
Homecoming events
The 2014 Bluffton High School Football Moms invite community groups to join this year's BHS homecoming parade, on Friday, Sept. 26, at 6 p.m.
The parade forms at The Centre and Bluffton swimming pool on North Main Street and Snider Road at 5:15 p.m., and will end at Harmon Field on College Avenue. The parade starts at 6 p.m.
Interested groups, organizations, and churches wishing to enter floats and vehicles to support the community, should contact Rhonda Staley (567-204-5961), or Tracie Bricker (419-236-5855), for more specific details. Deadline for entries is Monday, Sept. 22.
Also, give-a-ways are encouraged (candy or small items). All items must be handed out by walker, not thrown from participating vehicles or floats.
Bonfire
A homecoming bonfire will take place at 7:30 p.m., Wednesday, Sept. 24, in the parking lot on College Avenue, across from Harmon Stadium.
Last year's king and queen
Noah Stratton was the 2013 king and Sophie Marcum was the queen.
