Nipmuc Homecoming

It is about this time each year that the color of the trees provides the first indication of the change in season. As you drive on the roads of Mendon and Upton, you can find bursts of yellow and gold in the foliage - a sure sign that autumn is on its way. Similarly, as each September comes to an end at Nipmuc Regional, the celebration of our homecoming weekend marks another change of sorts. For our students, homecoming signifies that our year is in full swing. When we reach homecoming weekend, we know that the introductions and adjustments of coming back to school have been made. Homecoming is a chance to celebrate the new year and show pride in being part of our school.

Junior and senior students
at the DECA cookout

Homecoming events began on Friday with the DECA cookout and student activities fair. DECA - a business and marketing group that gives students a chance to apply their classroom learning to the world of business - provided great food and excitement for our entire student body. The students' hard work along with donations of local businesses, the support of our volunteer chefs from the Upton Police Department, and the guidance of Mr. Gary Perras helped to start our day with enthusiasm. After filling up on hamburgers and hot dogs, our students attended the activities fair where over 400 students signed up to be part of different extracurricular groups.  

By 1:30pm our students had gathered in the gym for our homecoming pep rally to cheer on our teams (click here for Rachel Burke's rendition of The Star-Spangled Banner from the pep rally). Despite having our athletic schedule altered by the rain, our teams had a successful weekend including the inaugural game for our fledgling volleyball program and a victory for the football team against Bartlett on Saturday.



Homecoming King & Queen
Katie Estabrook & Matt D'Innocenzo

On Saturday evening nearly 500 students returned to the school for the homecoming dance. Throughout the day on Saturday our student council volunteered at the school to decorate the gym and prepare for the festivities. Their efforts paid off as we had a great night and a wonderful celebration of homecoming.

Thanks to the planning, organization, and enthusiasm of our student council, this year's homecoming was an especially memorable weekend of celebration and pride. StuCo advisers - Mrs. Janis Grady and Mr. Nick Pezzote - along with the StuCo leaders and members deserve a great deal of credit for hosting a wonderful weekend of events and ushering in this new stage of the school year with style.