Bridgeport High School Homecoming Week, originally scheduled for this week, has become a little more flexible this year.  Not only are many of the traditional elements canceled, the ones that remain await the re-opening of in-school learning in order to be implemented.  Because Harrison County is orange this week, there will be no Homecoming Game played on the original date of October 16.  Plans continue to adapt to state requirements and will be updated as dates are confirmed.

 

Although there will be no assembly, dance or themed-dress days and decorated hallways, organizers hope to be able to implement some of those activities later in the year when it is safe.  At this time, they are concentrating on a parade, which will be done in an unconventional way, and the Homecoming Court.

 

“Despite all the changes, we are excited to still be able to celebrate some of the traditions of Bridgeport Homecoming,” said Student Council Advisor Cheryl McCarthy.  “The student council has been working to create as much normalcy as possible for the students and we are optimistic that many of the traditions can be preserved, albeit with a few changes.”

 

When students last entered the building, they voted for the Homecoming Court, making sure that those selected had time to prepare for upcoming events.  This year’s court is as follows:

There will be no student escorts this year, but each princess will be escorted onto the field by her father.  At this time, the plans are to crown the Homecoming Queen during halftime of the game, whenever it is scheduled to be played. A reverse Homecoming Parade is also in the works with details to follow. Key Club Advisor Charlene Keener will be working with Student Council Advisors to organize the parade.

 

Homecoming Coordinator Summer Tuttle has been hard at work counting votes, keeping abreast of the status of school and making sure the Homecoming Court is ready when in-person school resumes.

 

“The court is excited to be able to preserve the tradition of crowning the Homecoming Queen during the game and have been very understanding as things have changed,” said Tuttle.  “We are still hopeful that the parade will take place in some capacity and are grateful that the community has stayed so supportive of the school and our activities.”

 

In an unprecedented year, the freshmen princesses have only been in the high school three days so far. Still, they have been selected by their classmates to represent the class of 2024. 

 

Kennedy Bealko is the daughter of Kevin and Lauren Bealko of Bridgeport.  She is a member of the Junior National Honor Society, the Bridgeport Country Club Swim Team and the Parkersburg YMCA Swim Team.  She enjoys reading, playing tennis and volunteering at the Humane Society, along with spending time with family and friends.  She is a member of Immaculate Conception Catholic Church.

 

Presley Carlyle is the daughter of Kevin and Melissa Reid and Jeff and Jennifer Carlyle.  She is a member of the Junior National Honor Society and is a Bridgeport High School cheerleader. While at Bridgeport Middle School, she served as Vice President of Student Council as well as on the Leadership Committee.  She enjoys tumbling, spending time with family and friends, and playing with her dog.

 

Sophomore Princess Andie McCall is the daughter of Jason McCall and Molly Cooper.  She is a member of the BHS Cheer Team and enjoys being the favorite child, hiking, going to concerts, and eating Ben and Jerry’s ice cream with her sisters.  She is working towards being fluent in French in order to attend college in France.  After college, she plans to move to Ghana , where she will help deliver babies and care for mothers living in poverty.

 

Avery Sprouse joins McCall as a Sophomore Princess. She is the daughter of Kim and Doug Sprouse and a member of the Simpson Creek Baptist Church.  She is a member of the BHS Soccer Team and has volunteered with the Clarksburg Mission and area nursing homes.  Avery is a member of the Conservation Club and FFA at BHS and maintains a Superior Honor Roll standing academically. She was the Freshman Class President and remains an active member of the Student Council.

 

Junior Princess Sophia Cava is the daughter of David and Jaime Cava and a member of the BHS Dance Line.  She has danced with Studio 9 Dance Studio for nearly a decade and is also a member of the BHS Dance Ensemble.  Sophia enjoys spending time with her friends and family, babysitting and running. She is a member of All Saints Catholic Church and is a Superior Honor Roll student.

 

Joining Sophia as a Junior Princess is Gyllian Wagner, daughter of Patrick and Michele Wagner.  She is a three-year member of the award-winning BHS Cheerleading Squad and an active member of the Drug Free Club. She enjoys volunteering with Friends Feeding Friends, as well as other area non-profit organizations.  After graduating, she plans to attend West Virginia University to pursue a degree in Organic Chemistry.

 

Representing the Senior Princesses is Landyn Curotz, daughter of Guy Curotz and Julie Perris.  She is a member of the National Honor Society as well as the BHS Student Council.  She is a recipient of academic lamps and letters and an avid fitness buff.  Landyn attends Immaculate Conception Catholic Church and enjoys hunting, fishing, working out and spending time with family and friends.  Throughout school, she has also worked part-time to gain experience in the restaurant industry. She plans to attend WVU in the fall, pursuing a nursing degree.

 

MacKenzie Gould joins Landyn as a Senior Princess. She is the daughter of Keith and Tracy Gould and a member of the BHS Dance Line, where she has served as co-captain for two years.  She attends Studio 9 Dance Studio and is an active member of the BHS Student Council, where she has served on the Executive Board.  MacKenzie has maintained a perfect GPA throughout her time at BHS and has been involved with Key Club, Dance Ensemble, Spanish Club and Drug Free Club, where she serves as President.  She is a member of the Spanish National Honor Society and will be inducted into the National Honor Society in November.  She attends Horizon’s Church and will attend WVU in the fall to pursue a career as a Nurse Anesthetist.

 

Julia Griffith is the daughter of Brian and Beth Ann Griffith.  She is a 4-year member of the BHS Varsity Volleyball Team and an active member of the BHS French Club.  She is also a member of the National Honor Society and has been an integral part of the theatre at BHS, where she helps with makeup and hair.  Julia attends Horizons Church and enjoys painting and spending time with friends.  She plans to attend WVU in the fall.

 

Senior Princess Ashley Hart is the daughter of David and Melissa Hart.  She serves as Vice President of her class and President of the BHS Conservation Club. She has been a performer for Pam’s Music Studio since she was ten years old and continues pursuing her love of music through songwriting.  Ashley attends All Saints Catholic Church and enjoys volunteering through her youth group and with the BHS Student Council.  She is a member of the National Honor Society and the French Club and has been a member of the BHS media department for three years.  She plans on studying international business and pre-law in college.

 

Samantha Olivio is the daughter of Sam and Kim Olivio of Bridgeport.  She attends All Saints Catholic Church and is a four-year member of the BHS Student Council, where she also serves as Vice-President.  She is Co-Captain of the BHS Danceline and a member of the Studio 9 Dance Academy and the BHS Dance Ensemble.  Samantha also a member of the National Honor Society. She will attend WVU in the fall.

 

Maggie Peasak is the daughter of David and Diane Peasak.  She is a member of the National Honor Society, Student Council, and Drug Free Club at BHS.  She has received an academic lamp and letter and was selected to attend WV Girls State. Maggie was a member of the BHS Soccer Team for two years and also played for Mountain State Soccer Club, where she also volunteered as a youth soccer coach.  Maggie was a member of the BHS Dance Ensemble and an active volunteer in the community.  She attends All Saints Catholic Church and works part-time while attending school. She plans to pursue nursing at WVU in the fall.

 

The daughter of Jamie and Sherry Rieser, Hope Rieser is a member of the National Honor Society and both the BHS and YMCA Swim Teams.  She has worked as a Lifeguard at Bridgeport Country Club and the YMCA for four years and is an active member of the BHS Student Council.  Hope is a member of the Drug Free Club and has enjoyed her time as part of the BHS Orchestra and Dance Ensemble.  She attends Jewel City Church and spends her time volunteering and working with the youth group.  She plans to attend Fairmont State University in pursuit of a career in nursing.

 

The final Senior Princess is Audrie Sprouse, daughter of Kim and Doug Sprouse.  She is a member of the National Honor Society, a 4-year member of the BHS Student Council Executive Board, and is the Captain of the BHS Soccer Team for which she has played throughout high school.  Audrie currently serves as Student Body President and is a member of the Drug Free Club.  She attends Simpson Creek Baptist Church and enjoys visiting area nursing homes.  She plans to major in Exercise Physiology at WVU in the fall, then continuing to Physical Therapy for graduate school.

 

Once the Homecoming Game is scheduled for BHS, the princesses will take the field during half-time and the Homecoming Queen will be announced.