H-LP kicks off homecoming week celebration

The 2009 Harris-Lake Park homecoming queen and king candidates are (from left): Jordan Heikens, Jericho Jones, Jodi Hibma, Seth Hellinga, Shelby Peters, Ty Ahrenstorff, Deni Peters, Lee Vellema, Jenna Peters and Justin Bunkers. (Photo by Caroline Rusk * DCN Staff)

Sept. 7-11

Monday, Sept. 7 - Flag football game at HS field, Kindergarten 4:30 p.m., grades 1-2 5 p.m.

Tuesday, Sept. 8 - Volleyball w/Spencer and NSK at 5 p.m. @ home

Wednesday, Sept. 9 - Early Dismissal MS/HS 1:15 p.m., Elem 1:25 p.m.

Thursday, Sept. 10 - Coronation & Pep Rally at 7 p.m. @ H-LP Elementary

Friday, Sept. 11 - Football vs TRV at 7 p.m., dance to follow

Dress up days

Monday - No School - Labor Day

Tuesday - Pajama day

Wednesday - Dress like a teacher day

Thursday - Cowboy Day

Friday - Blue and white day

Packed in between the craziness of Labor Day weekend and the start of the Clay County Fair, Harris-Lake Park's homecoming week is celebrating school spirit Sept. 7-11.

H-LP's homecoming court was announced in late August and features senior queen candidates Jordan Heikens, Jodi Hibma, Deni Peters, Jenna Peters and Shelby Peters. King candidates are Ty Ahrenstorff, Seth Hellinga, Jericho Jones, Justin Bunkers and Lee Vellema. The school district's king and queen will be crowned next week.

"Coronation will be Thursday, Sept. 10 at 7 p.m. at the elementary gym," said Kathy Winters, student council advisor.

Along with the crowing of royalty, another homecoming tradition for H-LP gives students a chance to wear attire they wouldn't ordinarily wear into the classroom. Dress up days for 2009 include Pajama Day on Tuesday, Dress Like A Teacher Day on Wednesday, Cowboy Day on Thursday and Blue and White Day on Friday.

Additional activities planned for the week are for the high school boys to play volleyball on Tuesday afternoon and the girls to participate in an activity yet to be determined on Friday afternoon.

Homecoming festivities conclude with the football game against TRV at 7 p.m. Friday, Sept. 11 and a homecoming dance to follow.

H-LP is the first Dickinson County school district to host homecoming events. Both Okoboji and Spirit Lake will hold homecoming events Sept. 14-18. Graettinger-Terril's festivities are planned for Sept. 21-25.

School District Profile

Number of students: 345 (P-12)

Number of teachers: 30

Teacher/student ratio: 1:12

Recent Awards:

* Preschool grant summer of 2008

* Recognized by U.S. News and World Report as one of America's best high schools in spring of 2008

* Named by Des Moines Register as top high school in Iowa with student GPAs at regent universities

* Recognized by the Dept. of Education as a Blue Ribbon School in 2004

Facilities:

* New high school/middle school in fall of 2004

* New soccer field added in 2006

* New baseball field added in 2007

* Football & softball field upgrades in 2008

* Opened wellness room to public 24/7 in Feb. 2008

* New concession stand opened for athletic field fall 2008

* Preschool playground added fall 2008

Unique Programs:

* Iowa Lakes health courses on campus

* College courses online and on ICN at school

* Health Science Career Academy