By Whitley Sway
McNicholas held its annual Homecoming celebration the weekend of Sept. 26-27. In celebration of McNicholas’s 75th anniversary, past homecoming kings and queens were invited back to recognize years of tradition.
Homecoming has not always included a king and a queen. Until 2002, queens were only escorted by a young man nominated to the court, but no king was crowned prior to this.
“[The court members’] peers vote for them in recognition of their personality and who they are. The idea of a king and queen also gives the football game a different flair for one time a year,” Homecoming chair and science teacher Jonathan Spurlock said. The king and queen are announced at halftime of the Homecoming football game. This tradition has been one for decades and was especially special this year. The 2025 Homecoming Halftime not only included the 2025 king and queen announcement, but also included the past queens and kings who were in attendance. The 1958 homecoming queen, Christina Westercamp Imbus, assisted 2024 queen Megan Longmore in crowning this year’s queen, Olivia Dorschug. Senior Nick Phillips was crowned this year’s king by last year’s king, Gavin Gerhardt.
Imbus said, “I believe a homecoming queen should demonstrate school spirit, should be involved in school activities, and should appreciate the type of education McNicholas provides.” She added, “I greatly valued the education that I and my children received at McNick, and I know that the school’s success and traditions will continue for another 75 years and beyond.”
The 20 queens and 3 kings from previous homecomings who attended were invited to enjoy an alumni tailgate before the game. The Rockets won against Carroll and ended the night with the tradition of the score countdown and fight song on the Convent steps.
The McNicholas Milestone 