The week before featured sunny skies and warm weather, but the week of Oct. 7-11 featured gray skies and torrential downpours. While the week started off with a bang- of thunder during the homecoming festivities, however,  NH’s spirit could not be dampened.

     Monday through Friday students showed up pretty in pink for Breast Cancer Awareness Day, rocking Ravens jerseys and red MD pride for Maryland Day, far out in tie dyed T’s and liquid leggings for Retro Day, cool in camouflage and American spirit for Camo & Red, White, and Blue Day, and finally fantastic in traditional North Harford spirit gear on Spirit Day.

    “My favorite day was retro day because I got to dress up in 90’s style clothes,” said senior homecoming court member Rachel Baca.

    “I like camo day, because if I’m being honest it was the only thing I had clothes for, and everybody participated,” said senior Casey Roemer.

     Despite the weather, the Varsity Club was able to transition the rep rally indoors. Unfortunately, the school had to be split into halves due to seating issues. The spectacle included a cheers by the varsity and JV cheerleading squad, and performances by both the varsity cheerleading team and the marching band, who played songs such as “Bad Romance” by Lady Gaga.

     “We have been practicing our routine for about two months to get ready for the pep rally,” said senior varsity cheerleader Megan Scott. “It went really good even though we’ve never had seven mats to practice on, only five.”

     The homecoming court also participated in mini games such as a race where they had to balance an egg on a spoon while competing against each other to finish first. Some of the other games that students from each grade participated in included a potato sack race, a tug-of-war, and a pie-eating contest where students had to search for a piece of gum in the whipped cream, chew it, and blow a bubble to win.

    This was also the first year where there was not only one homecoming court to be introduced, but two. All of the special needs students were announced and crowned. The second court was seniors Kelly McCluskey and Elyssa Simon’s idea.

   “It wasn’t fair to not recognize them [best buddies students] because they don’t get to enjoy homecoming like we do, so we wanted to involve them in the school,” said McCluskey.

    “Unfortunately I did not see when they [best buddies homecoming court] were crowned, but they were still wearing their crowns during the second pep rally so I think they  enjoyed it,” said Best Buddies club advisor Mrs. Stephanie Hildebrand.

   The homecoming festival hosted by the Booster club continued, because the members wanted to keep the tradition of having the festival during the homecoming week, although the fireworks and the pit beef had to be canceled. Clubs like D.U.C.K.S. sold temporary tattoos, SGA sold Chick-fil-a sandwiches, the Journalism program sold popcorn, Premiere Driving gave out free candy, and French club sold glow sticks, as well as many other tables.

    “There were 18 tables signed up- it is more than I’ve ever seen. I’m not sure if they’ll all show up, because of the weather, but there tables of students from the middle school, local businesses like Avon, high school clubs, politicians, giveaways and raffles…..” said booster club member Amy Owens.

    Rain or shine (mostly rain), the football game versus the Aberdeen Eagles carried on. In the first quarter senior quarterback Nick Hammer carried the ball in for a touchdown, and junior kicker Sean Bowling’s extra point was good. At halftime the score was still 7-0, but in the third quarter Hammer’s throw to junior Scott Angstat resulted in another touchdown, and after Bowling made the extra point the score was 14-0. In the last thirty-five second of the game, Aberdeen scored a touchdown but the extra point was no good. The game ended another win for the Hawks, 14-6.

    “It’s very sad it’s raining because it’s such a wonderful event here like no other,” said Mrs.Kim  Iddings.

     At halftime the Homecoming court was announced, and the Marching band performed. Members of the court included Bailey Saneman, escorted by Jordan Smith, Rachel Baca escorted by Casey Roemer, Cassidy Miller escorted by Ben Hollingsworth, Katie Soltysiak escorted by Patrick Huff, Shiloh McCurry escorted by Kevin Snee, Isabelle Hodgkinson escorted by Ross Jarrar, Megan Tidey escorted by Mike Boyko, Paige Rickey escorted by Calen Dowley, Kristen Zdon escorted by Malone Mislak, and Courtney Blevins escorted by Josh Young.

    “It kind of makes me sad because I have to walk out on the field in the rain now,” said Rickey. “I applied because I thought it would be a lot of fun, and I feel honored teachers chose me [to be on court].”

     On Saturday night, there was a line of excited students dressed in their best forming outside of the cafeteria doors even before the dance opened at 8 o’clock. This year’s theme, voted on by members of the SGA, was “Empire State of Mind”. The cafeteria was decorated with Christmas lights and skyline-like buildings. Members of the Art Honors Society, as well as other art students painted the mural on the cafeteria’s window for the event.

    All of the members of homecoming court looked radiant and beautiful in their dresses, and  Tidey was overjoyed when it was announced she was Homecoming Queen. Tidey cried tears of joy while being crowned by last year’s queen, Kelly Phipps. After being crowned, Tidey danced with her escort, Boyko, to Ed Sheeran’s song “Kiss Me” which won as the homecoming song with 187 votes. The Backstreet Boy’s “I Want It That Way” came in second with 180 votes, Taylor Swift’s “Crazier” came in third with 142 votes, Labrinth’s “Beneath my Beautiful” came in fourth with 96 votes, and Alicia Key’s “If I Ain’t Got You” came in fifth with 73 votes.

    The only event that was postponed due to rain was the car show, which was moved to Oct. 17 from 5-7:30 p.m. due to the rain. This year was the car show’s fifth annual event, with awards going to the viewer’s choice. Winning any awards is only open to students, and last year’s winner was Marcus Ramsey with a Grand Marquis. The cars shown this year range in age from a 1932 to a 2013.

    “I think it’s very cool and unique that NH has such a big event around its’ homecoming. I was a Bel Air girl; we didn’t have that,” said teacher Mrs. Jacquie Williams, who is in charge of the show. “I wanted a way to get kids who aren’t involved in sports involved in the school.”