Successful Homecoming Weekend Enjoyed By Many

Homecoming Weekend, which ran from Friday afternoon to Sunday morning, was the biggest and best ever, with many new activities and events, and the largest crowd seen in years.

Friday’s activities kicked off in the afternoon with students competing against one another by shop (Paint Shop won and gets to keep the trophy until next year’s games). Students and staff then enjoyed a Homecoming Festival at the Pavilion with food, inflatable boxing, sumo wrestling, jousting bungee, and rock climbing. Next, a packed house at the Restall Sports Center watched students take on the staff in a basketball game with staff winning in overtime. The evening concluded with a Pep Rally in the gym that included members of the cross country, soccer, and football teams being recognized, giveaways, and a pie eating contest. Harold Burnett, director of student engagement and leadership development, psyched up the students for the next days’ events.

More pictures of the event can be found on the Williamson Facebook page.

Homecoming started bright and early at a chapel service featuring Gordon Douglas 7W6, a pastor and comedian. Next came the traditional alumni vs. varsity soccer game (the game ended in a tie with the alumni winning for the third year in a row on penalty kicks) and a Brick Shop Challenge in which several Williamson SkillsUSA state champions competed again instructor Dan Hiltebeitel to see who could lay the most block in 20 minutes. (Eric Schreiber 1W3 came in first, John Lang 1W0, second, instructor Dan Hiltebeitel, third, and Brandon Campanero 0W6, fourth.)

While these events were going on, parents took on students in a wiffle ball game at the baseball field while other guests enjoyed seeing the progress of the Energy Island Project in the Power Plant and looked at Williamson history at a display of documents from the past in the George Heckler 4W2 Archive Display. Others met with faculty and enjoyed refreshments at the Academic Reception in the Strine Learning Center and enjoyed the open house in the shops. About 200 young men and their families attended an Admissions Talk and campus tour to learn more about Williamson.

Families with young children enjoyed the Family Fun Zone, which included free pony rides and moonbounce, with snow cones, cotton candy, and chips, courtesy of Richard Rothe. Others enjoyed buying Williamson souvenirs at the School Store and eating baked goods sold by the Ladies Auxiliary.

The entire crowd cheered on the Mechanics as they went up against a powerful Valley Forge Military College, losing 0-28. The game was closer than the score indicated.

That evening two reunions were held: the 5 and 10-year reunions for 5W4, 5W9, 6W4, 6W9, 7W4, and 7W9 at the Austin Room in Upper Chichester, and the Young Alumni Gathering at Casey’s in Drexel Hill. Along with plenty of good food, old Williamson friends enjoyed reconnecting.

Sunday morning, the Alumni Association put on a very successful 5K Run/1 Mile Fun Walk with 50 registered runners, including four students. For race results, visit http://www.eliteracemanagement.com/

More pictures of the event can be found on the Williamson Facebook page.