Owen High School celebrates annual tradition with 2026 homecoming
Warhorses and Warlassies nominated to represent clubs, athletic programs and grade levels ahead of Friday night football matchup
Fred McCormick
The Valley Echo
September 22, 2026
A celebration of school spirit will fill the halls of Owen High School throughout the week, as Swannanoa Valley students prepare to celebrate homecoming in a ceremony at halftime of the football game against Avery, beginning at 7:30 p.m., Friday, Sept. 25.
Forty-four Warhorses and Warlassies have been selected to represent 25 athletic programs, clubs and grade levels during the 2026 Spirit Week. Two seniors, sophomores and freshman were nominated by their respective classes, while four juniors were selected. Football, cheerleading, tennis, men’s soccer, volleyball, women’s tennis and athletic training were each represented as fall sports, while Future Farmers of America Fellowship of Christian Athletes, Link Crew, Serve to Lead, Health Care Careers, Distribute Education Clubs of America (DECA), Warhorse Battalion Army Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps, Warhorse Regiment and the OHS Chorus each feature representatives.
The homecoming football game will culminate with the announcement of the homecoming king, queen, prince and princess at midfield.
Names of representatives can be viewed in captions embedded in the photo gallery on personal computers, and are listed below:
Senior class: Scarlet Gilham and King Colenberg
Junior class: Ella Farish and Mateo Diaz
Junior class: Layla Core and Donte Middleton
Sophomore class: Adrianna Rhodes and Carter Kelley
Freshman class: Evyn Core and Josiah Rieter
Athletic training: Ava Grant and Alder Forman
Band: McKenzie Settle and Cooper Burkhalter
Cheer: Ella Penland and Christian Ross
Chorus: Kaydence Mendez and Grayson Chasteen
DECA: Madeleine Pomeroy
Interact Club: Ella Edens
FCA: Avery Boone and Bear Dasher
FFA: Allie Padgett
Golf: Scout Schermerhorn
Health Care Careers: Emily Merrill
Cross Country: Alex Argueta-Hernandez
JROTC: Kendall Olsen and Zach Marketto
Leo Club: Kenzie Davis and Nate Turner
Link Crew: Julia Swann and Juju Bristol
Soccer: Lily Berry and Lyle Sulzman
National Honors Society: Lucille Conner and Jonah Bjorlie
Serve to Lead: Poppy Colson and Gavin O’Herin
Tennis: Avery Blankenship and Carter Darnell
Volleyball: Adeline West and Asher Lewkowicz