Hogwarts, Homecoming and Halloween
Published 4:05 pm Monday, November 24, 2008
Just in time, high school drama dept. holds costume sale
By Elizabeth Celms
Mercer Island Reporter
The Mercer Island High School Associate Student Body has announced “Harry Potter” as the 2007 Homecoming theme. And this year, students won’t be in short supply of costumes.
In tune with the Homecoming celebration, the MIHS drama department will hold a costume sale on Saturday, Oct. 6. According to drama instructor Karen Campbell, the department is “bursting at the seams” with garments and needs to empty its closet.
“We’ve got all kinds of things; vintage dresses, robes, wacky costumes and miscellaneous decorative pieces. There is some really amazing stuff — wild, crazy and fun for people who love to play dress-up,” Campbell said.
Since the drama department needs an additional $2,000 for this year, Campbell decided a wardrobe sale before Homecoming and Halloween would be the perfect fundraiser. The sale is open to all Island residents, MIHS students and trick-or-treaters alike.
“I thought I would combine our two needs — for more [wardrobe] space and revenue — with helping kids find Homecoming and Halloween costumes,” she said.
Homecoming week begins Oct. 8, with five days of school spirit and class competitions. The Harry Potter theme will add a magical touch of wizardry to the celebration, making for an especially festive week.
“It’s really appropriate because a lot of people around here are into Harry Potter,” said MIHS senior Tara Fulp. “It’s a cute idea.”
On Friday, Oct. 12, the streets of downtown Mercer Island will turn into a Hogwarts extravaganza at 5:30 p.m. for the annual Homecoming parade.
In traditional style, the MIHS band, drill team and cheerleaders will lead this year’s Homecoming royalty, riding on student-decorated floats, down 77th Avenue S.E..
Classes will compete for the most elaborate Harry Potter float, along with accumulating school spirit points throughout the week. Competition events include an egg and water balloon toss, pie-eating contest and “freestyle rap battle.”
Students will also dress up according to each day’s appropriate theme: “Caribbean Party,” “Duct Tape Day” and “Elementary School Spirit Day” among them.
Following the parade, MIHS will take on Interlake for this year’s Homecoming football game. The Islanders are currently 1-2 in league, 1-3 overall. The week will end in style on Saturday, Oct. 13 with “A Magical Night,” the name of this year’s Homecoming dance.
The costume sale will be held on the Saturday before Homecoming from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. It will take place behind the MIHS theater in Student Parking Lot B. If it rains, Campbell will move the sale indoors.
