Homecoming Triumph

Waseca Homecoming week 2025 concluded last Friday after a week full of activities, themed dress up days, coronation, and parades came to a close. The excitement concluded with a 49-6 win over the TCU Titans on Friday evening.  

 

The anticipation kicked off with a pep fest for all fall sports held the Friday before homecoming week, Sept. 20. Also leading into the excitement was the Bluejay Boosters’ breakfast at the American Legion. “Dress-up” days, activities and games were scheduled all week long. 

 

A major highlight was coronation on Thursday evening. Coach Brad Wendland told everyone in attendance that this year’s football team is dedicated to representing their school and their fellow students with integrity, then brought up captains Lucas Selthun, Ethan Hiller, Deron Russell and Jordan Johnston to introduce each of the 60-some members of the team.

 

The homecoming court consisted of 12 talented and involved individuals. Paige Dufault, daughter of Jared and Stacy Dufault, participates in tennis, show choir, select choir, sextets, FCA and BPA. She is in Student Council and is the senior class president and a member of the Minnesota Honor Society. Dufault lifeguards for Lakeside and Community Ed and is also a member of Christ Community Church. Dufault was escorted by Cyrett Long, son of John Long and Christine Sanchez. Long is involved in football, basketball and BPA. He also works at Pizza Ranch. 

 

Meraina Hiller, daughter of Randy Hiller and Kristine Christiansen, is involved in fall and winter varsity cheer, a member of Trinity Lutheran Church and works at the Jays Nest and nannies. She was escorted by Slade Barnett, son of Scott Barnett and Stephanie Barnett. Barnett is a wrestling captain, a member of the student council and works at Pizza Ranch. 

 

Layla Keith, daughter of Joe Keith and Muriah Miller Keith, is involved in show choir, sextets, select choir and is a section leader in choir. She is student council president, involved in BPA, a member of the Minnesota Honor Society and a member of Sacred Heart Church. Keith also plays tennis, is in gymnastics and works at Starbucks. She was escorted by Deron Russell, son of Derrick Russell and Bambi Jes. Russell is a football captain, basketball captain, involved in BPA, a member of the Christ Community Church and works at Pizza Ranch. He plans to attend NDSU to play football next fall. 

 

Katie Olson, daughter of Christopher Olson and Mary Jo Stangler, is a member of Christ Community Church, Minnesota Honor Society, and is in select choir, BPA, tennis and swimming. She is a lifeguard through community ed and is a FCA huddle leader and nannies in the summer. Olson was escorted by Ethan Hiller, son of Scott and Deanna Hiller. Hiller is a captain of the football team and participates in basketball and BPA. He is also a member of Sacred Heart Church and works at 4 Seasons. 

 

Chloe Roemhildt, daughter of Bill and Stephanie Roemhildt, participates in softball, fall ball and dome ball. She nannies, works at Wistes Meat Market and helps on her family farm. Roemhildt is a member of the Waseca Honor Society and Trinity Lutheran Church where she is a member of the youth advisory team. She was escorted by Jordan Johnston, son of Lee and Diane Holthus. Johnston is involved in track, BPA, yearbook and is a captain of the football team and works at Pizza Ranch. 

 

Ellery Waldron, daughter of Chris Waldron and Kara Waldron, participates in BPA, is a captain of the volleyball team and plays softball. She is a member of the Minnesota Honors Society, of Christ Community Church, and is in select choir, sextets, student council, FCA. Waldron also works at the Jays Nest and coaches T-ball and nannies in the summer. She was escorted by Caleb Wulf, son of Rick and Jill Wulf. Wulf is involved in football, basketball, and is a member of the Minnesota Honor Society and Christ Community Church. He works at Waseca Waterpark and is also a caterer at Infinity Catering. 

 

When it was time to reveal the identity of the king and queen, school safety officer Greta Luiken and ceremony emcees Maddy Bensen and Sadie Schimming brought the capes and crowns forward, placing them, after the traditional moments of suspense, on the heads of Deron Russell, son of Derrick Russell and Bambi Jes, and Chloe Roemhildt, daughter of Bill and Stephanie Roemhildt.

 

A semi-formal dance followed the coronation ceremony. 

 

The school-day excitement came to a close on Friday afternoon with a parade featuring more than two dozen units, followed by Friday evening’s triumphant game.