McIntosh High School's Homecoming week launched Monday, October 5, with a full slate of dress-up days, a pep rally, a football game, and a dance — all tied together under the theme 'Postcards in Paradise.' But while student council leaders are upbeat, at least one student officer says not everyone is buying a ticket to the party.
The week's daily themes run from 'Welcome to the Jungle' on Monday — animal prints and safari gear — through 'Escape to Paradise' on Tuesday, 'Splash Back' on Wednesday (different eras and decades), and 'Vacation Mode' on Thursday, timed to coincide with PSAT testing. Some students went as far as hauling suitcases to school as backpacks. Friday closes the week with grade-color pride: freshmen in white, sophomores in green, juniors in black, and seniors in togas.
The capstone is Friday evening's homecoming football game against Tri-Cities High School at 7:30 p.m., preceded by a pep rally, with the 'Postcards in Paradise' dance following on Saturday.
A lot is done through the sophomores and I think they wanted the vibe of summer and do something different with vacations.— Colin Hacker, Student Body President, senior
Not every student shares that enthusiasm. Grant Bard, secretary for the class of 2029, offered a candid read of the mood on the ground.
People [are] not wanting to participate, and people [dislike] the spirit days and the homecoming theme.— Grant Bard, Class of 2029 Secretary
Hacker acknowledged that participation varies but pushed back on the idea that low turnout signals a failed theme.
I think student participation is always good, and there are different levels of [participation].— Colin Hacker, Student Body President, senior
The gap between those two perspectives — a student council president counting any participation as a win and a freshman-class officer noting outright dislike — is the real story of this homecoming week. Whether Friday's pep rally and Saturday's dance shift the energy remains to be seen.
Why it matters — For McIntosh students and families, this is the practical guide to what's happening and when — and a candid look at whether the school's biggest spirit week is actually landing.
⚠ Not yet confirmed
- Student participation in spirit week dress-up days was notably low this year.
Sources differ on Level of student participation in Homecoming 2026 spirit week: Participation is minimal; students dislike the spirit days and theme. (Grant Bard via mhstrail.org) vs Student participation is always good; there are different levels of participation. (Colin Hacker via mhstrail.org)
⚠ Based on a single source (mhstrail.org). Independently unverified — details may change.
Reported by mhstrail.org
Where this comes from
Written by Papalocal's AI from these outlets' reporting. It can miss or misread things; the outlets are the record.