Times Editor
The 54th Annual Union County Homecoming Tiger Growl 2022 was an event that lived up to past presentations, with skits and the much anticipated crowning of the 2022 Homecoming Queen and King. Beginning at 7 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 6, 2022 and lasting almost three hours, the event drew a large crowd.
Emcees Angela Tucker, Lyndee Griffis, Taleya Smith, Emily Chapman and Kindall Johnson kept the crowd excited and informed throughout the night, while Emma Jeffers sang the National Anthem and Angela Tucker gave the invocation to get the evening started. The colors were presented by the Union County High School JROTC, with Cadet Major Adrianna Gonzalez (Commander and carrying the American flag), Cadet First Lieutenant Annaston Liston (carrying the American Weapon), Cadet First Lieutenant Mackenzie Ring (carrying the state flag) and Cadet Second Lieutenant Jay Parks (carrying the State Weapon).
First to be recognized and presented to the crowd were the Union County High School Tiger football players and their escorts, followed by the introduction of the varsity and junior varsity cheerleaders, also with their escorts. The escorts ranged from parents to siblings to sweethearts and some were escorted by their entire family.
The cheerleaders then took to the field, with the varsity and junior varsity performing together. Coaches were on hand as well – Kristen Adams (varsity), Mary Garrett (junior varsity) and Teyona Paige (asst. coach). Aubrie Muse called the cheer. The Union County Pop Warner Tiny Mite Cheerleading Team then took to the field, giving an energetic performance. They are coached by Mary Garrett and Beth Douglas, with Emma Jeffers serving as their student demonstrator.
Next to be introduced were the 2022 Tiger Volleyball teams and their coaches. Varsity: Layla Barber, Morgyn Kirby, Jurney Crim, Emily Wilson, Jailyn Simmons, Jordan Hendricks, Jaycee Davis, Kamryn Southerland and Rylie Parrish, with coaches Tifani Cox, Jaelyn Jackson and Tristyn Southerland. Junior Varsity: Sara Grace Vaughn, Bella Johns, Abby Williams, De’Ashia Gainer, Anabelle Dugard, Kaylie Hendricks, Gracie Manning and Indi Know, with their coach Tristyn Southerland.
The event’s theme was “The Happiest Place on Earth” and all of the skits were based on categories from Disney Plus – Disney Classic, Pixar, Star Wars and National Geographic.
The Senior Class, performing in their fourth and final homecoming class skit, represented Disney Classic, pulled out all the stops with a skit based on The Lion King. The skit was spirited and energetic with a creative set and characters.
Next to be introduced was the Union County High School Golf Team, coached by Pastor Patrick Maxwell and Pastor Tim Rose. Players are: Zoe Elixson, Summer Shaw, Kerissa Seay, Karly Raulerson, Caleb Zapp, Caleb Ripplinger, Colby Dukes, Eli Elixson, Patrick Maxwell, Braden Adams, Jordan Seay, Grant Dicks and Tucker Williams.
The Freshman class then presented their skit, representing National Geographic. This was the first Tiger Growl for these students and they performed well.
he All-Star Twirling Academy, led by June Stober, took to the field next, giving and intricate and entertaining performance in several age groups. Also on hand were the dare-devil fire baton twirlers, who performed without problem. Just in case, however, the Union County Fire Department had a member on hand with safety equipment.
The Junior class was next to present their skit – representing Pixar. There were a number in interesting costumes in this kit, inspired by movies such as Toy Story and others.
The Lake Butler Middle School cheerleaders then gave an energetic and gymnastic performance. This was followed by the final class skit, the Sophomore class, representing Star Wars. The rebellion was going strong and light sabers flashed as Luke and Darth Vader battled.
The emcees then took a moment to thank the people who had all contributed to making the event possible: Superintendent Mike Ripplinger, UC School Board members, the Community Facebook Page, the administrations of LBES, LBMS and UCHS, the UCHS faculty and staff, District 1 County Commissioner Ryan Perez, Mark Hughes, Brother Tim Rose, the UC Schools Maintenance Staff and all the parents. In the event program, thanks also went out to the Union County Sheriff’s Office, the Union County Fire Department and EMS and the UC Supervisor of Elections Office.
The last event of the celebration was the introduction of the 2022 Homecoming Royalty and the coronation of the King and Queen. Flowers for this part of the event were provided by Terry’s Florals in Lake Butler. Each Prince and Princess was introduced and a brief bio of them was read. Freshman class Prince and Princess were Parker Chase Parrish and Bella Elise Johns. Sophomore Prince and Princess were Tucker Allan Williams and Zoe Ona Elixson. Junior class Prince and Princess were Ke’Andre Demound Stephens and Jahlivya Mauriya Qween Zion Woodall. The Senior Sponsors were Perry Jefferson Johnson, Emily Elisabeth Archer, Daylan O’Danta Diston and Lindsay Claire Kingsbury. The 2022 Homecoming Court were: Jayda Hendrieth, Cameron Williams, Leah Clark, A.J. Cotese, Karly Shatto, Ayden Elixson, Jaycee Davis, Markus Strong and reigning 2021 Homecoming King and Queen, Desmond Edwards and Laura Park. Bios were read for each court member as they took their places on the field.
Finally, the UCHS 2022 Homecoming King and Queen were named. Jayda Hendrieth and Cameron Williams were named as the honorees and both were crowned by Park and Edwards. The emcees then closed the event with an invitation for all to attend the annual bonfire in the Quarterback Club parking lot. Also, all were reminded to attend the Homecoming Parade and football game on Friday, (Oct. 7) to cheer on the Tigers as they faced the Dixie County Bears.
On Friday, Oct. 7, 2022 the annual Homecoming Parade was held in Lake Butler. There were a number of floats, many of which were composed of materials and sets from the night before. The Union County High School Band performed well and the UCJROTC was on hand with the colors. Several other groups participated, including the American Legion and the UC Constitutional Officers. A great deal of candy was thrown to the large number of spectators lining the streets along the parade route and little ones took great delight in gathering it up, under the watchful eyes of parents and grandparents.
And, for the record books, the Sophomore class took first place honors in the skit judging AND the Tigers beat the Dixie County Bears 42-6.
