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Demopolis High School took the past week off from the football field, but will kick off again Friday to put an exclamation point on what will be a busy week of homecoming activities for students.

Among the highlights of homecoming week will be the annual parade, which has been moved from Friday afternoon to Thursday evening with a pep rally bonfire to be held near the Demopolis Civic Center and City Landing.

“We made these changes to be more inclusive to the public and for the safety of our students,” said Rebecca Pipkins, who serves as the DHS Student Council Advisor. “The heat during the day, even in early October, is so excessive that we felt it best to have it at night.”

The parade will be held Thursday, Oct. 4, beginning at 6 p.m. from the Demopolis Middle School sports fields. The route will travel north on Walnut Avenue to the post office downtown where it will turn left, then right onto Commissioners Avenue, ending at the civic center. From there, the students and community are invited to participate in the bonfire at the old tennis courts.

On Friday, the homecoming game will feature the Tigers against Shelby County in an area contest. This year’s homecoming court will be presented at halftime.

Members of this year’s court include the following students.

Senior Dolls: Kamryn Harris, daughter of Lakeisha and Leroy Harris; Sally Mackey, daughter of Lori and Bill Mackey; and Kerra Means, daughter of Lisa and Donald Means.

Senior Guys: Michael Spencer Jr.,  son of Valerie Barnett and Michael Spencer Sr.; Dee Cunningham, son of Delores and Demetris Cunningham; and Jake Jacobs (parents information not available).

Junior Dolls: Amber Besteder, daughter of Tamekia and Antonio Besteder; and Aundria Murdock, daughter of Michelle and Albert Murdock.

Junior Guys: Torrence Edwards,  son of Katrina Chambers; and Owen Pruett, son of Jennifer and Eddie Pruett.

Sophomore Dolls: Destiny Jackson, daughter of Jacqueline and Chuck Jackson; and Aaliyah May, daughter of Valarie and Stacy May.

Sophomore Guys: Earl Jones, son of Annie and Earl Jones; and Eddie Coats, son of Melonee and Eddie Coats.

Freshman Dolls: Neziyah Harris – daughter of Nette Harris and Fred Aldridge; and Aerial Irby, daughter of Jeannetta Irby.

Freshman Guys: Deitrich White, Jr., son of Jennifer and Deitrich White Sr.; and Rayshawn Benison, son of Queen Benison-Bryant.

(This article originally appeared in the Saturday, September 29 issue of the Demopolis Times.)