During the week of Sept. 9 – Sept. 13, Fulshear High School students participated in a week filled with fun spirit days leading up to the Homecoming game and dance. Such a week consisted of creative ways for students and teachers to express their school spirit.

Monday: Minions

On Monday, Sept. 9, students displayed their spirit by dressing up as the iconic characters from the “Despicable Me” franchise. From an inflatable minion to Gru and his minions, the diversity in despicable ideas were vibrant throughout the school.

Senior Jaclyn Lee explained her process for her outfit of the day.

“So, my shirt, I got it from a kid’s store. (…) I took my sister’s senior overalls and ripped everything off,” Jaclyn said. “So, she’s going to be really mad at me, but nobody has to know. (It took) probably, like, five minutes.”

For Adriana Wensil, the Spirit Day may have had an incentive involved, but she still enjoyed showing off her school spirit.

“Well, mine’s a grade because I’m in PALS, but I would’ve participated anyway,” Adriana said. “I grew up with the ‘Despicable Me’ movies, so I was like ‘I finally get to dress up as one’. It was what I wanted to do as a kid. (…) (My favorite part) is my overalls, because I made a little Gru sign on my overalls”

Tuesday: Rock & Roll

On Tuesday, Sept.10, students were tasked with dressing as the era of Rock and Roll. The spirit became evident through leather jackets, bold bottoms and footwear.

Senior Deailyn Henry, after finding out the theme of the day, was excited to get dressed for the event.

“I really like rock music from the 80s, and I was like, if we’re gonna dress in rock and roll, I might as well go as Nikki Sixx,” Deailyn said. “I had picked everything out yesterday (Monday) as soon as I got home from school. I woke up early this morning so I could get all the makeup done, and I had to tease my hair, and then I had to empty out my bass case, because I have an actual bass, and I took the case to school.”

She continued by adding her thoughts on spirit days.

“I enjoy them, even though sometimes I miss them, because I have a senior off period, so I don’t hear on the announcements what the day is,” Deailyn said. “But (…) yesterday (Monday) I came in, and my friend was like, tomorrow’s rock and roll day, and I was like, ‘are you kidding me?’ and then I was like, ‘I gotta get ready’.”

Wednesday: USA Day

On Wednesday, Sept. 11, the theme went a patriotic route. In memory of those lost during the attack of 9/11, students and staff were tasked to dress in red, white, and blue. Throughout the school, students wore flags, robes, and other patriotic symbols.

Thursday: Color Wars

On Thursday, Sept. 12, each class was tasked with a different color to wear. Freshman were assigned gray, sophomores black, juniors purple, and seniors white. On this day, students wore their homecoming Mums and seniors showed off their creativity with their senior overalls.

Senior Alli Gaston wore her MUM, overalls, and made sure to include white within her outfit.

“I love to be super sparkly and I love to have all the spirit because Fulshear is like my favorite place,” Alli said. “So I just wanted to go all out and bling out my overalls and put patches everywhere. So I just had a lot of fun doing it.”

Alli also added her thoughts on Spirit days in general.

“I love doing spirit day. I love that I get to see who has spirit, like who doesn’t, who needs a little more help. (…) I think they’re fun and it takes my mind off of trying to figure out what to wear,” Alli said.

Principal Brian Forshee also weighed in, a sense of pride beaming off him as he described how he felt about spirit days.

“It creates that sense of belonging for everybody because this is our school, and we’ll do whatever is in the best interest of our students,” Forshee said. “…you can just tell (there’s) a sense of a change in the culture that more and more people are becoming used to the activities”

Friday: Purple Out

On Friday, Sept. 13, the Fulshear community decked out their school spirit by dressing in purple or their school merchandise. Students and staff could be seen wearing jerseys, shirts, jackets affiliated with the school as the mindset shifted from the Homecoming game to the Homecoming dance.

A Star Throughout The Week: De La Fuente

During spirit week, there was one individual who did it like no other. Marco De La Fuente put in his all to represent his Charger spirit. De La Fuente made sure to go all out during the five days of festivities, showcasing his core values of having fun.

“I want to set the example for my PALS” De La Fuente explained. “I just think not everything has to be so serious all the time. Like, I’m an effective teacher. I have great discipline in my classroom, but I also can have fun. So I think as long as you balance them out and know when it’s time for business, but know that you can also have fun, I think that’s important for kids to see that.”

Believing that teachers are the role models for students, De La Fuente went on to share his opinions on the lack of school spirit within the staff.

“I feel like there’s a lack of participation…” De La Fuente said. “I’m okay calling out the teachers that aren’t dressing up because we should have school spirit as teachers. We should be leaders.”

De La Fuente decided to take an active role in his student’s experience of spirit week by making it a grade. Both encouraging the students to show their school spirit, and hoping they’ll have a bit of fun with it on their own.

“(I want) to inspire more school spirit…” De La Fuente said. “I think I allow kids to be themselves. To just be kids.”

The spirit week enthusiast continued, explaining his favorite part of dressing up in these eccentric outfits, to make others happy. “The reaction of the kids and the teachers, that’s just, it’s okay to laugh and have fun. I like that the best.”

Such a week was filled with creative and expressive outfits for students and staff to present their school spirit. While there were diverse thoughts on spirit week in general, it was still a great way for students to have fun while showing off their school pride leading up to the Homecoming game and dance.

This year’s homecoming game pitted the in-form Fulshear Chargers against Ford Bend Austin. The stadium was packed with parents, alumni, and the student section.

The visitors took the lead in the middle of the first half thanks to a short pass attempt that wasn’t swatted away by the Fulshear defense. Nick Codutti’s offense came back firing, as they quickly progressed down the field and retaliated with a touchdown of their own, courtesy from freshman Michael Brown. Unlike Austin, Fulshear always goes after the two-point conversion, and they were able to clinch a 8-7 lead going into the second quarter.

The lead was extended by 8 after a Patrick Broadway touchdown and another successful two-point conversion. The momentum kept going all the way into the end of the first half with Fulshear beating Austin with a scoreline of 28-7.

The slaughter continued almost instantly for Fulshear after yet another Patrick Broadway touchdown to open the second half. The points kept coming for the Chargers, who ended up winning the match by a final score of 55-14.

Sophomore quarterback Ryland Forks threw 182 yards in the air while having a passer rating of 154.4, but the stars of the show were the rushers.

Zane Smith and Broadway combined for 275 yards on the ground in 21 attempts. Other contributors were Damairus Froe, Teddy Howden, and Peyton Tucker

Brayden Kennedy led the Chargers in with 111 receiving yards in only four catches, giving him an impressive 27.8 yards per catch.

Caleb Augustus had the most sacks in the game with four, while Sheldon Rice finished with two sacks as well. The entire defensive line for Fulshear combined for 17 QB hurries, while Ford Bend Austin as a team only had one.

Towards the end of the match, Codutti decided to give some of the seniors some playing time in their last ever homecoming game, one of these seniors being Sergio Rangel.

“It felt bittersweet because it’s my last (homecoming) game and I felt emotional, but I’m excited to graduate and start a new chapter.”

For all the fans, players, coaches, and alumni, this year’s homecoming game showed a glimpse of what’s to come for Fulshear’s football program.

The gym roared with band tunes as excited students crowded the bleachers ready for the start of the pep rally. With Storm performing, cheerleaders chanting, and football players planning to mop the floor with the Bulldogs later in the day, the spirit was higher than ever. Students wore purple, white, gray, and black to represent their grade and their Charger pride. Seniors wore nifty overalls, pants, and dresses to mark the occasion. Boa feathers spread across the floor from all the mums and garters. The pep rally had finally started, and the homecoming game was on its way.

Greenli Fuentes and Lily Cownweign both dedicated time and effort perfecting their performance for the pep rally, showing that pride and hard dedicated work pays off.

Greenli Fuentes, a freshman on the cheer team, worked extra hard at practice, and shared that they did a lot of work for a good performance.

“I think I did good on band chants,” Greenli said.

She recalled the audience being very motivated, especially when it came to catching shirts.

Lily Conweign, a sophomore on the Fulshear dance team, was named Storm of the Week, an award given during football season for hard work and perseverance in practice.

She credits her motivation to her teammates, she creates long lasting memories, making dance even more enjoyable.

“Well, during practice it’s really hard to keep up the energy and to really perform,” Lilly said.

Homecoming Court was also announced during the pep rally. With six winners announced and the queen’s court ready to see who would be named Homecoming Queen at the game later, this got everyone’s adrenaline pumping.

Michael Brown, a freshman on the varsity football team, didn’t expect to be named Duke. He was surprised when he found out during morning announcements at school.

“Maybe a football coach (nominated me)?” Michael said.

He believes his nomination was an effect of his friendliness and the fact that he gets along with everyone.

As for the sophomores, Shepherd Steen, nominated by his Cross country coach, shares how honored he felt being courted for duke.

“I didn’t think I’d get in, so I’m very surprised,” Shepherd said.

He was eating breakfast when he found out about what happened.

“I was definitely honored (to receive the nomination); I didn’t think I’d get it.” Shepherd said.

Azlan Burns and Kinley Carter were 2024-2025 Junior Prince and Princess, which neither of them expected.

“I was honored to be picked for me and not even having to go for it (in order win),” Kinley said.

Kinley couldn’t process that she had won Homecoming princess, and she later was informed that it was her volleyball coach, Coach Zimmerman, who had nominated Kinley for Junior court.

“It wasn’t even on my mind, (so) when I heard (my name), I was shocked,” Azlan said.

Kinley recalls joking and laughing along with her volleyball friends after she found out, because she honestly wasn’t expecting such a surprise and honor.

Azlan shared his excitement about winning Homecoming Prince.

“It made me feel special,” Azlan said.

Azlan expressed his happiness about being nominated and recalled how he found out—while sitting at his desk doing homework, a notification popped up on his phone, informing him of the nomination. He was thrilled by the news.

Although the King and Queen were asked for comments, they could not provide them before publication.

Congratulations to all students who were courted for the 2024-2025 school year homecoming!

Homecoming week is a big event for Fulshear High School. It has pep rallies, the HOCO football game, and the homecoming dance. During that week, one of the main spirit days is color wars. Everyone in the school wears their mums and garters while seniors wear their custom made overalls.

Siblings Kynlee (sophomore) and Ava Callahan (senior), have both done mums as high schoolers before.

”Yes, my mum costs $150, and I’m planning to still do a mum next year because it’s tradition, and I just think it’s so fun to take pictures in (it) and wear it all day and to our homecoming game,” Kynlee said.

Mum prices can range from $30 to $300, but the price really depends on the size. Some mums can be a couple feet tall while others could be less than a foot.

Ava knew that she wanted to go all out for her senior year, so she understood exactly what she wanted to put on her jeans and her mum so she could really make a statement in her final year.

“My mom made my mum, but I think it cost around $300. My absolute favorite thing is my senior jeans and (for) my mum; (what I liked) was the fact that I got to be able to put the college I’m going to… OSU baby Go Pokes!” Ava said.

It’s tradition for guys to ask girls to the homecoming dance. Senior Reid Brackin asked his girlfriend of 11 months, Kali Nicole, to homecoming. They were able to have a nice bonding moment while making her mum.

”My favorite part was probably the fact (that) I got to put a picture of us in there, so that was pretty special,” Reid said.

There’s a sense of nostalgia and pride as the students show off their hard work they put into their mums and get to celebrate the little things that make this tradition so surreal and special. Reflecting on these traditions, they can see the small milestones they’ve reached and conquered over their high school years.