James Clemens family prepares for its premiere homecoming
As a new school, the James Clemens family stands in the unique situation of conducting its first homecoming without past activities and procedures to follow.
“We have the opportunity to make our own traditions,” James Clemens Principal Dr. Brian Clayton said.
“The neat thing about a new school is bringing all of the things from other schools and making it our own. Obviously, we would like several of our traditions to be our own ideas,” Clayton said.
As principal, Clayton wants students to reflect on the 2012 homecoming and “remember how this was and that it is the best time of your life. We are starting to build the traditions that will make James Clemens High School special. (Current students) can also say that they were there for the first year ever.”
For the homecoming game on Oct. 12, the James Clemens Jets will face the Black Bears from Austin High School in Decatur at 7 p.m. in Madison City Schools Stadium.
Before the game, “Senior Night” will recognize members of the Class of 2013 involved with the game — football players, band members and color guard, cheerleaders and dance team.
“At halftime, we’ll present the first homecoming court and the inaugural crowning of the king and queen,” Clayton said.
Senior maids and their escorts in the 2012 James Clemens Homecoming Court are Porcha Hambrick (Scott Adkins); Kristine Kirkland (Brandon DeSouza); Reagan Martin (Dustin Dykes); Dana Mitchell (D.J. Lorbecke); and Jennifer Perry (Skyler Schmidt).
Representing the junior class are Mary Portnoy (Sumath Devineni) and Melanie Walker (Dylan Neal); sophomores Abigail Johnson (Yasanka Chalasani) and Sutton Parker (Tucker Clark); and freshmen Amanda Jackson (Heath Burchfield) and Madison Morris (Raleigh Schmidt).
With a ‘Hollywood’ theme, the homecoming dance will be held on Oct. 13 from 8 to 11 p.m. in the school gym. Dance attire is semi-formal.
Homecoming 2012 at James Clemens “will be something they can tell their grandchildren about,” Clayton said.
Clayton doesn’t expect behavior problems during homecoming week. “Our kids are such great kids,” he said. “They understand what high expectations are and work to achieve them every day.”