“Homecoming! Here We Go Again” Theme For 2025 Eureka Homecoming Royalty To Be Crowned During Special Ceremony Friday Afternoon
This Friday, the 2025 Eureka Junior Senior High School (EJSHS) Homecoming King and Queen will be crowned in a ceremony at 1:15 p.m. at EJSHS. The community is invited to attend.
Students in grades nine through twelve recently selected the following seniors as the 2025 Homecoming Court. Queen candidates are Britta Mongeau, Madelyn Miller, Lydia Mason, Brenna Rucker, and Hannah Perrier and King candidates are Timothy Aguilar, Cole Ptacek, TJ Mills, Will Fitzwater, and Peyton Hare.
This year’s theme for the annual event is “Homecoming! Here We Go Again” from the Mama Mia movie. Dress Up Days for Spirit Week are: Monday: “The Night is Young!” - PJ Day; Tuesday: “Welcome to Greek Life” - Frat Bro vs Sorority Girl; Wednesday: “Lei All Your Love On Me” - Hawaiian; Thursday: “Greek Mythology”- Togas/ White Out; Friday: “The Winner Takes It All” - wear Eureka Red and Blue.
On Wednesday evening, Oct. 1, at McGinnis Field there will be a Powderpuff Football game at 6:30 p.m. followed by candidates and club representatives competing in pep rally games. The pep rally will conclude with the EHS Band and Cheerleaders performing at the bonfire, and the annual football jersey auction. The community is invited to support the Tornadoes at each event.
The community is also invited to attend the Homecoming Assembly on Friday, Oct. 3rd, at 1:15 p.m. in the EJSHS gym. The band will perform, the 50 Year Alumni Class of 1976 will be recognized, and all the candidates of the Homecoming Court will be introduced.
The annual EHS Homecoming Parade, showcasing the candidates, class and club floats, Grand Marshals and the EHS Band, will leave the high school at 2 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 3. The parade will travel south on Jefferson Street, west on 1st Street, north on Main Street, and will turn east on 7th Street to return to the school.
This year’s Grand Marshals are Tom and Carolyn Perrier. The 2025 Homecoming Crown Bearers are Marshall Elementary first graders Hope Perrier and Jayce Baumgartel. Hope Perrier is the daughter of Matt and Amy Perrier and Baumgartel is the son of Jerrid and Jessica Baumgartel.
Eureka Tornado football will host Bluestem on Friday night, with kick-off at 7 p.m. A special caravan will also be held. Those wishing to participate should meet at 7th and Main Streets in Eureka by 6 p.m.
The Homecoming Court will be announced during a special halftime ceremony, with the 2024 Homecoming King Dalton Pool and Queen Corinne Nelson assisting.
All King and Queen candidates are members of the senior class of 2026. The following backgrounds were provided by the candidates, listing their high school activities and accomplishments.
Peyton Michael Hare
Peyton Michael Hare, 17, is the son of Toni Bitler and John Riggs of Severy and Jason Hare of Eureka.
He has participated in Football 4 years; Basketball 2 years; Track 4 years; FCA 4 years, and SADD 1 year.
His Academic Honors include High Honor Roll 2 years, Honor Roll 1 year, and an Academic Letter. Athletic Honors include All League Quarterback, All District Quarterback, All District Linebacker, All State Honorable Mention Quarterback, State Runner-Up 400m; State Runner-Up 4x100; 4th at State in the 200m, School Records in the 200m and 400m and was a member of the 4x100 School Record relay team. He is also a two-time TVL Powerlifting Champion and two-time State Runner-Up.
After graduation, he plans to attend a four-year university to run track and pursue a degree in Exercise Science.
William James Fitzwater
William James Fitzwater, 17, is the son of Teresa Jeanerette of Olpe and Lee Fitzwater of Eureka.
He has participated in Football 3 years; Track 2 years; WILD Science 4 years; Foreign Language Club 3 years and Book Club 3 years. He is the current President of the Foreign Language Club and the Treasurer for Book Club. Some of his special honors include the All “A” Honor Roll as well as receiving several Tornado Awards. He is also a member of the Eureka Honors Club and was awarded the Bausch and Lomb Science Award.
After graduation, he plans to attend Emporia State University to pursue a degree in pre-athletic training.
Thomas James Mills
Thomas James “TJ” Mills, 18, is the son of Shawn and Dana Mills of Eureka. He has participated in Football 3 years; Basketball 3 years; Track 3 years; Cross Country 1 year; FFA 4 years; National Honor Society 3 years; WILD Science 2 years, SADD 2 years and Foreign Language Club 2 years.
His Athletic Honors include 5th place in the 4x100m relay at State Track 2023; 3rd place in the 100m and 1st place 200m at State Track 2024; 4th place in the 100m, 5th place 200m and 2nd place 4x100m relay at State Track 2025. He has also received 2024 Football All District, League and Grasslands Honors, and 2025 Football All State Honors.
He has also served as Class President for 4 years and is currently the Vice President of FFA. He was also a member of the Kansas and National FFA Champion Livestock Judging Team in 2024.
His Academic Honors include All “A” Honor Roll, Academic Letter and a member of the Eureka Honor Club for 3 years.
Outside of school, TJ was a member of the Fancy Mustangs 4-H Club where he held the office of president. He was also a member of the Greenwood County 4-H Council and a 4-H Ambassador.
After graduation, he plans to pursue athletics at the collegiate level.
Cole Allen Ptacek
Cole Allen Ptacek, 17, is the son of Brendan and Tabitha Ptacek of Eureka.
He has participated in Football 4 years; Basketball 3 years and Track 3 years. He has also been involved in WILD Science 4 years; FCA 4 years; SADD 4 years and FFA 4 years.
Some of his Academic Honors include Honor Roll 2 years, High Honor Roll 2 years and Tornado Awards in multiple subjects.
After graduation, Cole plans to go to a trade school to pursue HVAC.
Timothy Lucas Aguilar
Timothy Lucas Aguilar, 17, is the son of Jeanie Vidrios of Eureka. He has participated in Football 4 years; Basketball 3 years; Track 3 years; FCA 4 years; Book Club 3 years; WILD Science 2 years and FFA 2 years.
His Academic Honors include being on the Honor Roll.
After graduation, he plans to attend Missouri Welding Institute to obtain a certificate for pipe fitting and welding.
Hannah Adele Perrier
Hannah Adele Perrier, 17, is the daughter of Matt and Amy Perrier of Eureka.
She has participated in Volleyball 4 years; Basketball 4 years; SADD 4 years; FFA 4 years; FCA 4 years; National Honor Society 3 years; Eureka Honor Club 3 years; Book Club 3 years and Foreign Language Club 2 years. She is the current President of FFA and STUCO. She was also a member of the Kansas and National FFA Champion Livestock Judging Team in 2024.
Her Academic Honors include High Honor Roll, Academic Letters and Tornado Awards in multiple subjects.
She has been a member of the Racing Wranglers 4-H Club for the past 10 years and is the current President. She is also President of the Greenwood County 4-H Council. Hannah has competed on 4-H Livestock and Meats judging teams, which have both earned the title of National Reserve Champions.
Outside of school, she is also an active member of the Sacred Heart Catholic Church, National Jr Angus Association and Kansas Jr Angus Association.
After graduation, she plans to attend Kansas State University to pursue a degree in Animal Science.
Brenna Christine Rucker
Brenna Christine Rucker, 17, is the daughter of Tyson and Faith Rucker of Eureka.
She has participated in Track 1 year; Volleyball 1 year, and was named 1st Team All League TVL Volleyball, Grassland All-Stars Honorable Mention Volleyball, and received the KSHSAA Outstanding Achievement State Volleyball Participant award.
She has participated in Basketball 3 years, and was named TVL All-League 1st Team 2 years, KSHSAA Outstanding Achievement Award State Basketball Participant 2 years, Sports In Kansas Class 3A All-State Honorable Mention, KSHSAA Class 3A All-State Honorable Mention, Kansas Basketball Coaches Association 2A All State 1st Team, KSHSAA 2A All State 2nd Team, Sports In Kansas All State 2A 1st Team, Wichita Eagle All State 2A 2nd Team, Wildcat Classic All Tournament Team, Sports in Kansas All State Class 2A Honorable Mention, and KSHSAA All State Class 2A Honorable Mention.
She has been an FCA member for 4 years and is currently serving as the FCA Vice President.
Her Academic Honors include Honor Roll 3 years and Tornado Awards in multiple subjects.
Outside of school, she participates in EYBL Club Basketball.
After graduation, Brenna plans to play collegiate basketball and pursue degrees in Physical Therapy and Basketball Coaching Administration. Lydia Felice Mason
Lydia Felice Mason, 17, is the daughter of Darin and Joanna Mason of rural Eureka.
She has participated in Basketball 4 years, Volleyball 4 years, and Track 3 years. She has also been involved in SADD 4 years; FCA 4 years; WILD Science 4 years; Art Club 1 year; Honor Club 3 years; Book Club 3 years and Foreign Language Club 3 years. She currently serves as the STUCO representative of the National Honor Society, and is Class Secretary.
Her Academic Honors include being named a Shocker Honor Scholar recipient, High Honor Roll and Academic Letters, and receiving Tornado Awards in multiple subjects.
Outside of school, she has been involved in the Racing Wranglers 4-H Club for 10 years, and is a member of the Hamilton Community Fellowship Church. After graduation, she plans to attend college to pursue a degree in healthcare.
Madelyn Paige Miller
Madelyn Paige Miller, 17, is the daughter of Scott and Shelby Miller of Eureka.
She has participated in Volleyball 4 years; Softball 4 years; Cheer 1 year; Basketball 1 year; SADD 4 years; WILD Science 4 years; Eureka Honor Club 3 years; FCA 3 years, Foreign Language Club 3 years; National Honor Society 3 years and Art Club 1 year. She has served as class Vice President for 4 years, and is the current National Honor Society Vice President.
Her Softball Honors include All Tri-Valley League for 2 years and Sports in Kansas Honorable Mention All State for 2 years. She was also named to the Eureka Invitational All-Tournament Volleyball team.
Her Academic Honors include High Honor Roll, Academic Letters, Tornado Awards in multiple subjects and being named a Shocker Honor Scholar recipient.
Outside of school, she participates in the Crue Travel Softball Team and is a member of the Christ Lutheran Church.
After graduation, she plans to attend college and major in Education.
Britta Rose Mongeau
Britta Rose Mongeau, 17, is the daughter of Brian and Vandetta Mongeau of Eureka.
She has participated in Cross Country 4 years, where she has been a State Qualifier for 2 years, placed 13th at State Junior Year, and was TVL Runner Up. She has played Basketball 3 years, and the team has been TVL Champions each year, State Qualifiers for 2 years, and she was recognized as All-League Second Team. She has participated in Track 3 years, where she has been a State Qualifier for 2 years, placed 5th in the 1600m at State and won Regional Champions in the 4x400m Relay School Record team her junior year.
She has participated in FCA 4 years; SADD 4 years; Foreign Language Club 4 years and WILD Science 4 years. She has also been Class Treasurer for 4 years.
Her Academic Honors include National Honor Society 3 years where she is the current President, Eureka Honor Club Member, and High Honor Roll 3 years.
Outside of school, she enjoys being the videographer for the Eureka Pro Rodeo.
After graduation, she plans to attend Emporia State University on a Cross Country and Track scholarship and pursue a career in Videography to eventually work alongside the Indiana Pacers.
Crownbearers
Jayce Baumgartel & Hope Perrier Current first graders, Jayce Baumgartel and Hope Perrier also shared a few of their future goals. Baumgartel wants to be a Police Officer, Firefighter and Teacher when he grows up. His favorite sport is football, and his favorite colors are purple and green. Hope Perrier wants to be a Paleontologist, Drummer, Fisherman and a Go-cart Driver when she grows up. Her favorite sport is cheerleading and her favorite colors are red, blue and white.
