King, Azure, crowned

Waseca’s Homecoming week kicked off Sunday September 25, 2022 with the first annual Jaywalk, and was highlighted Thursday evening with the crowning of Will King, son of Brad and Tina King, and Samantha Azure, daughter of Sam and Jamie Azure. 

After a Friday afternoon parade featuring 22 different units, the week’s events were capped off with an exciting 22-21 win by the football team over Jordan. 

During the first-ever “JayWalk” on Sunday, 50 participants set out on the paved city trail that connects to the high school’s west parking lot, then walked roughly 3 miles (5k) round trip to Loon Lake Park and back. The Waseca 2022 homecoming court offered walkers blue and gold beads to wear during the trek and were later joined by the cheerleaders and football players at Loon Lake Park

Throughout the week students dressed according to different themes including Soccer Mom vs. Grill Dad day, Duo Day/Twin Day, and throwback Thursday. Wednesday evening more than 300 people took part in a bean bag tournament with more than 90 teams of two competing: The duo of Brandon and Titus took first place. On Thursday, coronation was celebrated in the high school gymnasium beginning at 7:30 p.m.

The program’s emcees included Korbin Schumacher, Haylee Sommers and Kloe Wadd. They introduced the football team and recognized the school’s four foreign exchange students: Jakub Eull from Poland, hosted by Charles Rohwer and Anne Gerber; Lilly Drolsbach from German, hosted by the family of Jill Bartelt; Ines Sanchez Jimenez from Spain, hosted by Ted and Michele Yoder; and Charlotte Steglich from Germany, hosted by Luke and Jack Mathern. 

Next, the 2022 royalty were introduced: Brenden Brown (son of Jeremy and Kim Brown); JD Delgado Jr. (son of JD Sr and Alberta Delgado); Payton Garza (son of Raul and Lacie Garza); Will King (son of Brad and Tina King); Oliver O'Brien (son of Ben and Ria O'Brien); Christian Rodriguez (son of Nathan and Debbie Rodriguez); Samantha Azure (daughter of Sam and Jamie Azure); Aubree Hansen (daughter of Steve and Barb Hansen); Charli Harguth (daughter of Jerry and April Harguth); CeCe Huttemier (daughter of John Huttemier and Kristi Hyink-Huttemier); Avery Madsen (daughter of Chris and Leslie Madsen) and Riley Ruedy (daughter of Wesley and Sara Ruedy). This year’s junior escorts are Ella Marlin (daughter of Paul and Steph Marlin) and Emmett Byron (son of Ben and Jenna Byron).

Information regarding the candidates for king and queen was shared:

Samantha Azure is a member of Sacred Heart Church and a member of the Minnesota Honor Society. She is involved in student council, FCA, YSL, BPA, captain of the girls soccer, basketball and track teams. She is the dog walker of Nala and Spike.

Christian Rodriguez is a football, wrestling and track captain, member of the Minnesota Honor Society, in student council,State Street and Sextets. He is a member of Trinity Lutheran Church and an FCA Huddle leader. Christian is employed as a lifeguard at the Waseca Waterpark. 

Aubree Hansen is a member of First Congregational Church, involved in BPA, State Street, Sextets, she is the student council president and a member of the Minnesota Honor Society. Aubree is employed at the Waseca Public Library and works as a nanny in the summer. 

Will King is involved in BPA, DECA, swimming club, Spanish Club and a member of the Minnesota Honor Society. He is co-owner of Lavish Lakefronts.

Charli Harguth is a member of Sacred Heart Church, on the Minnwest Junior Board, and a member of the Minnesota Honor Society. She is involved in DECA, student council, FCA and UPDS (dance studio). Charli is employed at The Bar on Main and nannies for the Eaton girls and Claire. 

Brenden Brown is involved in football, yearbook and BPA. He works for Alliance Contracting.

Cece Huttemier is involved in student council, Spanish club, Sextets, and State Street. She also sings at her church. CeCe is a member of Grace Lutheran church, captain of the varsity tennis team, a member of the Minnwest Junior Board and a member of the Minnesota Honor Society.  CeCe is  employed by La Micheacana.

JD Delgado is a captain for  soccer, wrestling and tennis. He is a member of the Minnwest Junior board, Minnesota Honor Society and student council. He is also in State Street, Sextets and JD is the 2021 Minnesota State ExCEL award winner. He also coaches soccer in the winter and summer and works at Greener World Solutions. 

Avery Madsen participates in basketball, is a volleyball captain, State Street, she is a Minnesota Honor Society Member, YSL, FCA, Student Council Senior class president. She is in HOSA and participated in the spring musical Legally Blonde. Avery works at Cool Wave Coffee in Waterville and Glitter and Grace.

Oliver O’Brien is captain of the football team and on the wrestling and baseball teams, and is involved in YSL. He is a member of Sacred Heart Church and works at SRP HVAC and Plumbing.

Riley Ruedy participates in volleyball, softball, DECA, YSL, food shelf volunteer and a member of Grace Lutheran Church. She works as a waitress at The Willows in New Richland.

Payton Garza  is a member of  St. John’s Lutheran Church, he is involved in football, a captain on the wrestling team, and on the baseball team. Payton is in Select Choir, State Street, BPA and works at Yellow Mushroom.

Following a shoutout to all fall activities, “Marching band, let’s van gough,” the Emcee’s jokes, the State Street Singers performed “Start a Fire” from the movie La La Land. 

The marching band performed their 2022 production, “Immortals.” 

Next, Waseca High School Principal Jason Miller recognized special olympic gold medalist Jack Anderson. In June, Anderson took the gold medal in the 100m walk, silver in the 50m dash, and 6th place in the running long jump at the Special Olympics in Orlando, Florida. 

After the crowning of this year’s king and queen, many, many 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.