November 3, 2022: The Mount Madonna School’ (MMS) Homecoming Week festivities were a great success enjoyed by the whole school community. Following are two expressions of gratitude from MMS community members.
Acknowledgement and Appreciation
By Student Government Association President Zoey Ocampo-Sobkoviak, grade 12
Congratulations to the 10th grade class on winning the 2022 Homecoming Cup with 95 points! Second place was 11th grade with 74 points and third place was 9th grade with 73 points. Sixth grade was not too far behind with 69 points.
Thank you to everyone who came to the Homecoming events! We had a full crowd at the volleyball and cross-country senior nights. The Fright Hike and Game Night were also huge successes and we hope to continue those traditions every year!
Thank you, as well, to all teachers and parents (shout-out to Tori Nissly for rallying parent help) who chaperoned the dance, Fright Hike or Game Night. Thank you to all people who donated items and food for the Fright Hike, Trunk-or-Treat, and Tailgate, your donations helped make those events successful. If you have any decorations that you loaned and would like returned, please come to the upper campus Spanish classroom (B4) during school hours.
A huge shout-out to the student government, Homecoming Committee, POMMS, and much of the 11th grade class for helping organize Homecoming. A special thank you to Anya and Sophia for taking on the Tailgate and Game Night, respectively. Thank you also to Sara Sobkoviak, for putting in many hours of work to set up and give us inspiration for the fun events.
Photos of the Halloween Dance have been shared with all middle and high students in a Google folder.
Thank you all and we hope you had fun at Homecoming 2022!
Leadership in Service to Our Community
Some 43 years ago, Babi Hari Dass (Babaji), and a dedicated group who shared his vision, built a school in the mountains, our Mount Madonna School. What began as a single classroom in a trailer has blossomed like a lotus to expand over two campuses. This blossoming is made possible by the members of our community who share the vision and leadership of our school’s founders and whose efforts create new opportunities for education, expression and connection. Senior Zoey Ocampo-Sobkoviak exemplifies those qualities and embodies the characteristics of Babaji: quiet, playful, compassionate, hardworking, selfless, humble, and courageous.
Last year, Zoey helped organize MMS’ first ever prom, this year, as the student body president, she is leading and organizing another MMS first, Homecoming. This includes a Homecoming rally, Game Night, and dance. Each of these events brings value to the school and student body by creating fun and inclusive opportunities to celebrate our coming back together as a school community after the summer and collectively experiencing a new year together. May we all take a moment to extend gratitude and the utmost respect to Zoey for being a courageous visionary and exhibiting exemplary leadership in the service and betterment of our community. Thank you, Zoey!
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With the addition of the first prom in May 2022, Mount Madonna School (MMS) students enjoyed a tradition that has long been part of the high school experience for many young people. Now, the Student Government Association (SGA) is working to add one more “familiar” tradition to the MMS roster – Homecoming Week festivities and celebration.
“We want to create homecoming at MMS to boost school spirit and student participation in sports,” commented SGA president and senior student Zoey Ocampo-Sobkoviak.
Homecoming festivities will include several inter-grade competitions, including service-based competitions, and fun activities such as a Halloween-themed evening Fright Hike, game night and trunk-or-treat event. Homecoming will culminate on October 28 with a Halloween costume dance for middle and high school students.
Ocampo-Sobkoviak said parents are encouraged to help with after-school events and to come and watch the Homecoming activities. To help raise school spirit and support friendly competition, students will earn points for their class by attending athletic events and participating in Homecoming activities both during and after school. The upper school class with the most points will be awarded a student-designed homecoming cup filled with candy and other treats).
The Fright Hike is $5 per person and the Homecoming dance is $5 per person (with a costume) or $7 (no costume). Fund raised from these two activities will help support the whole Homecoming Week celebration.
Following is the students’ “wish list” of Fright Hike and Dance decorations need. The SGA will also accept monetary donations to be used for purchasing decorations. To donate or for any questions, contact Zoey Ocampo-Sobkoviak.
- As much landscape fabric as we can get to try to divide the walkway to keep people from seeing what’s ahead on the hike
- Mechanical Halloween props (to lend or donate)
- Broken or old clocks
- Mirrors
- Fake vines and plants
- Fake torches or lights
- Any other general Halloween decorations
- String walkway lights or Christmas lights
- Clown masks or other scary masks
Homecoming Week Activities and Schedule:
Thursday, Oct. 20
High School Cross Country Home Meet & High School Girls Volleyball Senior Night
Students can earn Homecoming points by coming to cheer on MMS at either event! There will be a TAILGATE with food for sale from 4:00-5:00pm at the Hawks’ Nest Gym, and a Hawks Spirit costume competition during the school day.
Friday, Oct. 21
Game Night
Game night at the Hawks’ Nest Gym from 6:00-8:00pm. Winners of mini-sport competitions, board games and other tournaments will earn Homecoming points!
Monday, Oct. 24
Drive for Schools Ticket Tally
The class that averaged the most tickets sold per person gets Homecoming points!
Thursday, Oct. 27
Fright Hike and Trunk-or-Treat
Trunk-or-Treat is an all-school event, with popcorn, cotton candy and more at the upper campus overlook from 4:00-5:00pm. Set-up begins at 3:25pm.
The Fright Hike through a redwood trail is $5 per person and open all-school, with parental discretion. This takes place from 6:00-8:00pm.
Friday, Oct. 28
Homecoming Cup Ceremony and Halloween Dance
The class with the most Homecoming points wins the Mount Madonna School Homecoming Cup and prizes! The ceremony will take place during lunch (between 11:30am-12:10pm) at the upper school amphitheater.
The Halloween Dance takes place in the upper campus Assembly Room from 7:00-10:00pm. Admission is $5 per person with costume, or $7 per person without. Pizza will be sold for $3 per slice. Permissions slips are required for all MMS and non-MMS students; permission slips can be picked up in the MMS office or downloaded from the link below. Please note, completed permission slips must be turned in to the school office by or before Wednesday, October 26.
Thank you to MMS students and to the Student Government Association for leading this effort to create a fun, spirit-building Homecoming celebration for the whole Mount Madonna School community. Thank you, as well, to POMMS (Parents of Mount Madonna School) for help in supporting these activities.
Homecoming Week Schedule of Events (downloadable pdf)
Halloween Dance permission slip, for all MMS and non-MMS students (downloadable pdf)