Soccer team wins homecoming game: The Nederland Boys’ Soccer team played Bennett High School for a homecoming match up. Senior Jack Roszell takes the ball down field while a Bennett player attempts to put an obstacle in his way. PHOTO BY SARA SANDSTROM[/caption]

Homecoming is a longstanding fall tradition in high schools and colleges in the United States. Homecoming is a time to bring students, staff, alumni, and the community together to celebrate school spirit and the school’s past, present and future.

I am sure the homecoming traditions at Nederland Middle-Senior High School (NMSHS) have changed over the years. The cars in the parking lot have changed, some of the sports have changed, but the Panther spirit and love for this mountain school are alive and well.

Spirit Week is an exciting time for the students and staff that leads up to the homecoming festivities on Friday and Saturday. Each day had a different theme and students were encouraged to dress up accordingly.

On Friday there was a pep rally at the end of the school day before the volleyball game against Cripple Creek Victor. There was a pie eating contest where one person had to feed the other blindfolded. It was a tough competition, but teachers Mark Mabbett and Dan Wade were victorious.

The pep rally continued with a relay race with obstacles and a spike ball tournament. The spike ball tournament finale was between juniors Gray Schlosser and Cedar Shupe and seniors Hayden Hardt-Zeman and Oskar Nunemacher. It was an evenly matched game with the seniors narrowly pulling off a win with sophomore Drew Hertzfeld keeping score.

Friday night concluded with the volleyball team’s victory sweep over Cripple Creek-Victor. Then Star Wars: Episode IV- A New Hope was shown on the soccer field.

Nederland’s Homecoming continued on Saturday with a parade through town led by a Nederland fire truck at 11 a.m. Each of the high school classes had a movie themed float. There was a Barbie float by the freshmen, The Wizard of Oz by the sophomores, Willy Wonka by the juniors, and Shrek by the seniors.

The NMSHS PTA had the BBQ and concessions set up at the soccer field for lunch. While the fans grabbed a bite to eat, the Nederland Panthers Boys’ Soccer team began their game against the Bennett High School Tigers.

The Tigers came out fast and scored first. Nederland senior Jack Roszell answered with a goal for the Panthers. As the game progressed the players settled into a rhythm. Junior Maddox Gioia scored for the Panthers to make it a 2 - 1 game. Nederland continued to put pressure on the Bennett team.

Panther senior Oskar Nunemacher added another point to the scoreboard with a penalty shot. Junior Maddox Gioia finished the game with two goals.

Nederland’s defense held strong and goalie Eli Weiner kept Bennett’s score to 1.

The game ended with 15 minutes left on the clock because of lightning in the area. Final score Nederland 4 Bennett 1.

Homecoming 2023 in Nederland culminated with a homecoming high school dance.

Around this country homecoming is an established tradition that brings the school community together. It is also the opportunity to bring the community as a whole closer together. Let’s always be looking for ways to support our schools, during homecoming and throughout the entire year.