Homecoming week began with students showing their inner celebrity for the Homecoming Goes Hollywood festivities.

Dress up days included: Monday’s Stars are so Bright We have to Wear Shades followed up by Dynamic Duos, On Wednesdays, We Wear Pink, ‘80s Day and Spirit Day.

Unfortunately the rainy weather throughout the week caused the Homecoming Carnival to be postponed until October.

The pep rally on Friday had a big turnout to see the class competitions, including a rap battle performed by teachers English teachers Emerson Allen and Erin Balfour. The senior and junior classes won the rap battle and seniors won a competition to see which grade could sing the school fight song loudest.

“The teacher class competition was fun because everyone was so enthusiastic,” senior Noelani Rivers said.

The freshman, sophomore and junior Dukes and Duchesses were given their titles and the Homecoming King and Queen nominees were named. Students had to wait until the game to find out who had been voted king and queen.

With the buildup of school spirit, probably due to McNeil’s football team being undefeated in its first three games of the season, students supported the team at the game against Cedar Ridge at the Kelly Reeves Athletic Complex.

Spectators for both teams participated in the white-out to raise money for the Ryan and Kylie Murphy Scholarship fund.

The Mavericks found themselves on the losing end of the game which stunned students who believed the team would win.

“It was unfortunate to see McNeil lose after we had won the last three games,” junior Samantha Sechrest said. “However, it was a good game and when McNeil made a touchdown the stands cheered and shouted for victory.”

During halftime, king Joel Teal and queen Michaela Guillory were crowned.

The dance on Saturday, sponsored by Project Graduation, at the Frickett Events Center, had students in attendance dancing to every song or enjoying the outdoor sitting area next to a lake.

“The dance was fun,” senior Rita Gaffney said. “At first it was a little awkward, but then everyone ‘turnt’ up.”

Two prom tickets were given away in a raffle at the dance going to junior Nick Sanchez and Gaffney.