Serving O'Brien & Clay Counties
Serving O'Brien & Clay Counties
Garcia, Vander Veen crowned 2021 Homecoming king and queen
New H-M-S Homecoming King Jesse Garcia and Queen Anna Vander Veen were crowned Tuesday night. Other Homecoming court members pictured behind them include, from left to right: Wyatt Borden, Mason Brinkman, Nick Bronstad, Connor Dodd, Lydia Harders, Kaley Pearson, Jasmine Lux and Megan Ten Kley.
New H-M-S Homecoming King Jesse Garcia and Queen Anna Vander Veen smile to the crowd after receiving their crowns Tuesday night.
Anna Vander Veen hugs 2020 Homecoming Queen Cher Hibbing after being named the winner.
Former H-M-S band director Jerry Klein gave the keynote address during coronation on Tuesday evening.
Jesse Garcia is congratulated by his fellow king candidates during coronation.
A young onlooker records the action on her phone during the crowning ceremony.
Cheerleader Cecilia Schilling pumps up the crowd.
There's new royalty reigning over the Hartley-Melvin-Sanborn Community School District.
Jesse Garcia and Anna Vander Veen were named king and queen during coronation Tuesday night. The duo was selected from the 10-member Homecoming court by their peers.
Vander Veen, of Hartley, is the daughter of Steve and Melissa Vander Veen. She is involved in National Honor Society, student council, FFA, FCA, Lutheran Youth Fellowship, band, jazz band, Dance Attack, football and basketball cheerleading, track and tumbling. She plans to attend the University of Iowa to study radiology.
Garcia, of Hartley, is the son of Bryan Rawlings and Jenny Morataya. He is involved in track and football. He plans to attend the University of Nebraska-Lincoln or Iowa State University.
Former H-M-S band director Jerry Klein addressed the coronation crowd. Having experienced more than 30 Homecomings during his tenure, Klein noted how special the week was to the entire community.
"Here in small town schools, things just feel different during Homecoming. Everyone – students, parents, townspeople – you can all get involved in some way," he said. "I challenge all of you to keep this feel-good spirit going through the whole year, and not just this week."
The crowning ceremony was the first big event of Homecoming week, which culminates Friday when the Hawks face Hinton at the local gridiron at 7 p.m. A community pep rally and parade are scheduled earlier that day at 12:45 p.m. and 2:15 p.m., respectively. The pep rally will be held in the H-M-S Event Center while the parade will go through downtown Hartley.
