Under a blazing sun and 90-degree temperatures, West Chicago Community High School students gathered at Memorial Stadium on Oct. 3 for the annual Homecoming pep assembly, marking the official start of Homecoming weekend.
Students followed an assembly schedule on Friday, and when the last bell rang, classes headed to the football field for a series of games and announcements. For underclassmen, this meant the opportunity to experience something new, while seniors enjoyed their final Homecoming assembly as Wildcats.
The organization behind WEGO’s assembly fell under the direction of the Pep Club. Seniors involved in the club, including Fernessa Reyes and Evelyn Rea, were excused from classes to test games, organize events, and prepare for the crowd. The Pep Club worked together to provide a fun and spirited event for Homecoming Friday.
“[Pep assembly] brings all the grade levels together, because sometimes it gets really separated in school, like everyone has their own little groups. With this, we’re all able to just have fun as a whole school,” Reyes said.
As students walked toward the stands, Pep Club members directed them to their assigned sections. Underclassmen were divided into three sections on the home-side bleachers, while seniors sat on the visitor side. Senior Thang Thang assisted students and staff to avoid confusion and ensure everyone was seated correctly.
“It’s fun being a senior and being able to see how everything pans out. Before, we used to watch for three years, and now we’re the ones doing the pep assembly and being a part of [the organization],” Reyes said.
While other students filled the stadium and waited for the announcer to introduce the first game, friends and classmates discussed Homecoming plans and shared laughs. Sophomore Jillian Kurby was among those enjoying the excitement. The crowd was encouraged to cheer and participate as much as possible.
The assembly began with an all-grade-level game of musical chairs. Groups of freshmen, sophomores, juniors, and seniors did jumping jacks while music played, and once it stopped, they ran to the center of the field to fight for a chair. The competition led to students pulling and dragging chairs as laughter filled the air. Junior Will Pereckas dragged freshman Isabella Carrasco, ultimately winning the final seat.
“My shoes are a little loose, maybe that held me back. I did tussle with a junior, but it was fun – my good one round. It’s very competitive here,” Carrasco said.
Cheer team took the field to perform their routine, incorporating stunts, tumbling, and loud, spirited chants. Senior Avery Unger and junior Shamara Orozco lifted senior flyer Diana Correa as she twisted and flipped through the air, drawing cheers from the stands.
New to West Chicago this year, the seniors participated in Bead Wars – a competition in which students played rock-paper-scissors to win each other’s beaded necklaces. The top six students with the most beads played the final round on the field, with the winner earning a free lunch coupon. Senior Thang Thang played Jorge Morales, ultimately sending Morales to the final bracket.
In the final matchup, senior Brian Nguyen defeated Morales to win the game of rock-paper-scissors. Pep Club members rushed the field to congratulate him and the other contestants, showcasing school spirit to everyone in the stands.
Thang also helped National Honor Society with the Coin War Raffle, where students voted and donated money for the teacher they wanted to see pied. The teacher with the most donations was ultimately covered in whipped cream. Nominees sat on the field as math teacher Aaron Hayes got pied in front of the large crowd.
Pom-poms ruffled in the wind as students took a break from games to watch the dance team perform their Homecoming choreography – a sneak peek at their halftime performance later that evening.
The third game included all grade levels, who were tasked with filling containers of water using sponges. A full bucket sat in the center, and participants ran back and forth from four corners of the field, racing to collect the most water. Senior Pep Club members Sam Zalak and Dylan Mason held the bucket as competitors sprinted to fill it.
Senior Molly Merkel ran across the field with a soaked sponge to help her teammates. The race continued until the timer ran out, and the water levels were compared to determine the winner.
The crowning of Homecoming King and Queen took place during the pep assembly. The top nominees, chosen by senior classmates, lined the field and waited for the announcement. Seniors Tristan McWilliams and Alina Baranska smiled as they were crowned West Chicago High School’s 2025 Homecoming King and Queen.
“[The process] was super exciting. I didn’t know we were running until this week, but it’s pretty cool to be king. I’m really grateful for everybody who voted for me. I was super nervous because there were a lot of people watching, but once I felt the crown on my head, I was super excited,” McWilliams said.
The assembly ended with a teachers-versus-students soccer match. Senior soccer player Omar Lutfiyev defended against varsity assistant coach Dorian Carrasco, who stole the ball from senior Leo Posada as he attempted to score.
As the event wrapped up, students began to clear out of the stands earlier than usual. Although the pep assembly was scheduled to end at 11:45 a.m., by 11:15 the bleachers had already begun to thin noticeably.
“I left because I saw everyone else leave, and I just wanted to go get food with friends,” junior Daniel Papp said.