2024 Waseca High School Homecoming royalty: (front, from left) Mia Kanewischer, Addison Pfeifer, Kendall Bowers, Lucia Mansfield, Queen Sophie Chanra and Lexi Kanewischer. Back: Carson Ohnstad, Damarius Russell, King Ben Hagen, Tauston Rupe, Braydon Hoof, and Joseph Mixteco-Perez. Photo by Alyssa Bowers
WHS celebrates 2024 Homecoming September 20-27
Wed, 10/09/2024 - 9:26pm
Waseca Homecoming week 2024 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 38-21 win over Jordan on Friday evening.
The anticipation kicked off with a pep fest for all fall sports held the Friday before homecoming, Sept. 20. Also leading into the week 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, when Ben Hagen, son of Brad and Allyson Hagen, and Sophie Chanra, daughter of Izzy Chawra and Rebecca Thompson, were crowned King and Queen.
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.
Serving as emcees during Thursday night’s program were Ashton Jenzen and Jennifer Hernandez-Verde
Prior to the crowning of the king and queen, Waseca’s foreign exchange student was honored.
Mortiz Eull is from Poland; his host family is Anne Gerber and Charles Rohwer.
The night’s junior attendants were the first members of royalty to be introduced: Ella Wilson, daughter of Mathias and Krissy Wilson; Eli Janike, son of Jake and Stephanie Janike.
Brief biographies of the seniors were provided as they processed to the front.
Kendall Bowers, daughter of Mike and Alyssa Bowers, participates in volleyball, Business Professionals of America (BPA), is a Fusion volleyball coach, a member of St. John Lutheran Church and a member of the Minnesota Honor Society. Kendall also works at Subway.
Joseph Mixteco-Perez, son of Jose Mixteco and Marisol Perez, is involved in football, track and field, BPA and student council. He also works at ICAN.
Sophie Chawra, daughter of Izzy Chawra and Rebecca Thompson, is involved in sextets, BPA, DECA, is the Student Council President, and a member of the Minnesota Honor Society. Sophie is on the Minnwest Bank Junior Board of Directors and works at Colony Court, an Assisted Living Facility.
Tauston Rupe, son of Brian and Cassie Rupe, participates in football, track, basketball, and is a football captain. Tauston is in sextets, student council, DECA, a member of the Minnesota Honor Society and he works at 212.
Lexi Kanewischer, daughter of Trevor Kanewischer and Amanda Tesch, is involved in basketball, golf, student council, is a member of the Minnesota Honor Society, Minnwest Junior Board of Directors and a member at St. John Lutheran Church. Lexi is employed at Calonett, Waseca Sno-Biz. She is also a nanny for the Babcock family.
Ben Hagen, son of Brad and Allyson Hagen, is a football captain, wrestling captain, involved in student council, a member of the Minnesota Honor Society, LeSuer River Church and Axis Youth Ministry. He is a 4-H camp counselor and he works on the family farm.
Mia Kanewischer, daughter of Aaron and Deanna Kanewischer, is a member of Grace Lutheran Church, student council, is a captain on the tennis team and participates in basketball and golf. She is employed at Pleasant Grove Pizza Farm, Waseca Sno-Biz and she is a nanny for the Hoffman and Kopischke families.
Carson Ohnstad, son of Tony and Rachelle Ohnstad, is a captain of the football team, participates in basketball and track. Carson also volunteers through community ed.
Lucia Mansfield, daughter of John and Edita Mansfield, participates in student council, is a soccer captain, a member of Sacred Heart Catholic Church and Minnesota Honor Society. She also works at Pepito’s.
Brayden Hoof, son of Dana Hoof, is involved in sextets, State Street, marching band, math team, Science Olympiad, drama department, and a member of the Minnesota Honor Society. He participates in hockey, tennis and soccer. Brayden works at McDonald’s and is a member of Grace Lutheran Church.
Addison Pfeifer, daughter of Tim and Jen Pfeifer, participates in BPA, is a captain of the tennis team and a member of the Minnesota Honor Society. She is on the Minnwest Junior Board, a member of Sacred Heart Church, is a dancer at UPDS and works at Kiesler’s Campground, The Mill Event Center, and Waseca Sno-Biz.
Damarius Russell, son of Derrick Russell and Bambi Jes, is involved in BPA, a captain of the basketball, football and track teams. He is a member of Christ Community Church and works at Pizza Ranch. Damarius has committed to South Dakota State University to play football.
Following a shoutout to all fall activities, Select Choir sang, “The Times They Are A-Changin” arranged by Adam Podd and “I lived” arranged by Jacob Narverud, and directed by Mrs. Kreinbring.
The Marching Jays then performed music from their 2024 production entitled “Forced!”
Coronation concluded with last year’s king, Jack Anderson, crowning this year’s royalty.
After the crowning of this year’s royalty, photos were taken before the night’s homecoming dance concluded the evening.
Friday’s events concluded the week-long celebration with a pepfest and a parade, followed by an exciting win by the football team.