From October 7-11, 2024, Pinewood Christian Academy (PCA) marked its 52nd annual Homecoming with the theme "Home Sweet Homecoming," treating students to a week filled with candy-themed spirit days and cherished traditions. Students showcased their creativity and school pride through themed outfits while participating in numerous festivities, including the senior breakfast, pep rally, and pre-game tailgate. The celebration peaked with the Pinewood vs. St. Andrews Lions football game and the highlight of the evening—the crowning of the 2024 Homecoming Queen, Genevieve Bradley, and Princess, Caroline Deloach.
On Monday, PCA students dressed in all neon to resemble Sour Patch Kids candies. Many students wore brightly colored sweatshirts, tutus, and other neon accessories. Tuesday was themed based off “Now and Later” fruit chews where students dressed as a specific decade. Students dressed in everything from 90s acid wash jeans to 50s poodle skirts. Wednesday was Big League Chew Day where students supported their favorite teams by wearing jerseys. Students donned jerseys of their favorite college or professional teams, such as the Atlanta Braves, Georgia Bulldogs, and the Georgia Southern Eagles. Instead of traditional camo day, this year students dressed in their pajamas for Rolo-ver themed Thursday. Students arrived on campus dressed in their comfiest attire, wearing pajama sets and cozy slippers.
The week ended with Spirit Day. Students and faculty were decked out in all their green, orange, and white attire. The Senior Spirit Parade kicked off the day’s events. For the first time, the senior parade was put on during the school day. Students in the upper school were invited to watch the seniors ring in their last day of homecoming during homeroom. Seniors decorated their cars, trucks, and other vehicles with Patriot-themed décor and drove down Buck Cravey Drive.
Cheerleader Hush Day is another one of Pinewood’s beloved homecoming traditions. On Friday, each member of the varsity cheer team is not allowed to talk to their friends or classmates, only to teachers and faculty. If they do accidentally speak to a fellow student, the name tag they wear is given to them, and, at the end of the day, that person gets to pie their cheerleader at the homecoming pep rally. An addition to this tradition was the Cross Country coaches, Coach Paula Johns and Coach Elizabeth Tatum, creating a race at a previous practice, and the victorious team got to pie both coaches.
To conclude the school day, the varsity cheerleaders led the school in a pep rally in the Eddie Durrence Gymnasium to get the team and students excited for Friday night’s game against the St. Andrews Lions. The varsity football team stormed through the Patriot banner high-fiving the students, getting them pumped up for their big game. Students chosen from each grade participated in games of musical chairs and human-sized tic-tac-toe. Then, the prestigious spirit sticks were awarded to the loudest grades: 5th and 6th grade in the lower school and the seniors in the upper school. The cheerleaders then showcased their impressive, new competition routine. The pep rally concluded with the cheerleaders and cross country coaches being pied in the face and the traditional singing of the Alma Mater.
The pre-game festivities began with the annual Homecoming Tailgate, catered by Rusty Pig of Glennville, in the Randy Roderick Gymnasium for fellowship and food.
Minutes before kickoff, spectators gathered at Lowell Coley Field to watch this year’s senior homecoming representatives as they were driven onto the field on golf carts driven by Barrett Wilbanks, Liam Porter, Will Wasson, and Thomas Cole Hendrix as chauffeurs. The 7th grade, 8th grade, freshmen, sophomore, and junior representatives were also announced and escorted onto the field.
During halftime, the homecoming representatives were escorted onto the field for the crowning ceremony of the 2024 Homecoming Queen and Princess. Vying for the crown this year were seniors Genevieve Bradley, Caroline Deloach, Maelee Kennedy, and Abi Scott. Lower class representatives included Sidney Fitzgerald (11th), Mimi Parker (11th), Erica Wasson (11th), Addison Swindell (10th), Anna Kate Croft (10th), Ever Downs (9th), Bonnie Blocker (8th), and Ruth Rogers (7th). The crowns for the queen and princess were presented by first grader Dyess Durrence, son of Herschel and Jayla Durrence; the bouquets were presented by Lillian Shuman, daughter of Brandon and Nicole Shuman, who served as the flower girl.
Once all the representatives entered the field, Sydney Tippins, the 2023 Homecoming Queen, announced and crowned the queen and princess. The 2024 Pinewood Christian Academy Homecoming Queen was awarded to Genevieve Bradley, daughter of Ed and Deanna Bradley of Claxton. The title of 2024 Pinewood Christian Academy Homecoming Princess was awarded to Caroline Deloach, daughter of Richie and the late Rhonda Deloach of Glennville.
The night ended with a homecoming dance for the upper school, hosted by the Senior Class. Students in grades seventh through twelfth enjoyed a music-filled and Patriot-themed decorated cafetorium where they ended the night with friends and laughter.
This week was filled with sweet times that will become lasting memories for students, faculty, and staff. PCA ended the candy-filled week with a victory over the St. Andrews Lions, scoring 64-36.
