Eureka High School To Crown 2026 Homecoming King & Queen This Friday During Special Assembly
This Friday, the 2026 Eureka High School (EHS) Homecoming King and Queen will be crowned in a ceremony at 1:30 p.m. at EJSHS. The community is invited to attend.
Students in grades nine through twelve recently selected the following seniors as the 2026 Homecoming Court. Queen candidates are Kinlee Sanchez, Maela Neill, Ellianna Coulter, Elizabeth Foth, and Elyssa Wood. King candidates are Mason Hughes, Cruz Escareno, Christian Andrews, Cooper Roberson and Tyson Coon.
This year’s theme is: “Y2KHomecoming the Old Way.”
The Dress Up Days for Spirit Week are: Monday: “Dreaming of those days,” wear PJs; Tuesday: “Y2K Neon Day,” wear neon; Wednesday: “On Wednesdays we wear pink,” wear pink; Thursday: “Throwback Thursday”dress like your parents in high school; Friday: “Legacy Red & Blue” - wear Eureka Red and Blue or vintage Tornado gear. On Wednesday evening, Sept. 23, in the Tornado Activity Center (TAC), there will be an Ironman Volleyball tournament starting at 6:30 p.m., followed by candidates and club representatives competing in pep rally games. The pep rally will also include the EHS Band, Yell Leaders and Cheerleaders. The night will conclude with the annual HS Football team jersey auction fundraiser. The community is invited to support the Tornadoes at this event.
The crowning of the Homecoming King & Queen will be during the Homecoming Assembly on Friday, Sept. 25, at 1:30 p.m. in the EHS gym. The 2026 Homecoming Court will be introduced, the band will perform, and the 50 Year Alumni Class of 1977 will be recognized. The public is invited to attend.
The annual EHS Homecoming Parade, showcasing the candidates, class and club floats, Grand Marshals, and the EHS Band, will leave the high school at approximately 2 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 25. 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 Bill and Janell Castle.
The 2026 Homecoming Crown Bearers are Marshall Elementary first graders Aspen McCalla and Rufus Cross. McCalla is the daughter of Jared and Taylor McCalla. Aspen’s favorite color is purple, her favorite subject is math, and her favorite sport is volleyball. Her favorite college team is K-State and when she grows up, she wants to be a daycare lady. Cross is the son of Jim and Colleen Cross. Rufus’s favorite color is purple, his subject is math, and his sport is football. His favorite college team is also K-State. When he grows up, he wants to be a farmer.
Eureka High School To Crown 2026 Homecoming King & Queen This Friday . . . . . .(
C .
on t.
i n. u ed. F. ro m. P. g.
e 1.)
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 King & Queen will be recognized during a special halftime ceremony, with 2025 Homecoming King TJ Mills and Queen Madelyn Miller assisting.
All King and Queen candidates are members of the senior class of 2027. The candidates provided the following backgrounds, listing their high school activities and accomplishments.
Mason Thomas Hughes Mason Thomas Hughes, 17, is the son of Bryan and Kelli Hughes of Eureka.
He has participated in Football 4 years; Wrestling 3 years; Powerlifting 2 years; Golf 3 years and FCA.
His Athletic Honors include qualifying for State Wrestling 2 times, qualifying for State Golf 3 times and being named State Champion and State Runner- up in Powerlifting.
After graduation, Hughes plans to go to college for athletics while also considering a career as a pipeline welder.
Cruz Elias Escareno
Cruz Elias Escareno, 17, is the son of Marcia and the late John Escareno of Eureka and Hailey Escareno of El Dorado.
He has participated in Football 3 years; Basketball 1 year; Baseball 2 years; FCA 1 year, and FFA 3 years. He lettered in Football 1 year and Baseball 2 years.
His Academic Honors include the Honor Roll, National Society of Scholars 2026, and a Tornado Award in General Carpentry.
After graduation, Escareno plans to attend barber school to become a barber.
Christian Lee Andrews
Chr i s tian Lee Andrews 17, is the son of Olivia Wallace of Eureka.
He has participated in Football 3 years and Track 3 years. He is a member of WILD Science and has been involved in Twisted Designs.
His Athletic Honors include 2nd team Honorable Mention for Defensive Back his junior year of football. In his junior year of track, he qualified for State in Long Jump and the 4x100 Relay.
At his previous school, he also participated in Basketball, Wrestling, FCA, Chess Club and Choir.
After graduation, Andrews plans to attend Pratt Community College for lineman school.
Cooper Craig Roberson
Cooper Craig Roberson, 17, is the son of David and Whitney Roberson of Eureka.
He has participated in Football 2 years, Basketball 4 years; and Baseball 3 years.
Cooper is a member of WILD Science, Art Club, Book Club, FCA, and is the Senior Class STUCO representative.
His Academic Honors include being an Honor Roll recipient throughout high school.
After graduation, Roberson plans to attend Wichita State University to pursue a degree in physical therapy.
Tyson Alan Coon
Ty son Alan Coon, 18, is the son of Heath and Cindy Coon of Eureka and Austin and Rose Gainor of Eureka.
He has participated in Football 1 year; Track 1 year; Golf 2 years and Basketball 3 years.
He is a member of FCA and is currently serving as the President of WILD Science. In band, Tyson has lettered for 2 years and was selected to participate in the Emporia State University High School Honor Band for 2 years.
His Athletic Honors include lettering for 1 year in Golf and 2 years in Basketball. During his sophomore year of basketball, he was selected to the Yates Center All-Tournament team. The following year, he was named Most Inspirational Player, selected for Second Team Tri-Valley League, and the War on 54 All-Tournament Second Team.
His Academic Honors include being an Honor Roll recipient throughout high school and Tornado Awards in Algebra I and Business Essentials.
After graduation, Coon plans to attend college to pursue a degree in Business Marketing.
Kinlee Marie Sanchez
Kinlee Marie Sanchez, 17, is the daughter of Luis and Amanda Sanchez of Eureka.
She has participated in Volleyball for 4 years and has been a member of Yearbook for 3 years, and is currently the Senior Yearbook Editor. She is serving as the Secretary of WILD Science and has been a member of SADD; Art Club; and Foreign Language Club. She is also the Senior Class Vice President.
Her Academic Honors include Honor Roll 3 years, Honors Club 2 years and Tornado Awards.
After graduation, Sanchez plans to attend Labette Community College and pursue a degree in Obstetric Sonography.
Maela Sky Welsh Neill
Maela Sky Welsh Neill, 17, is the daughter of Clark and Laura Neill of Eureka.
She has participated in Volleyball 2 years; Cross Country 1 year; Wrestling 3 years; and Track 3 years.
Her Athletic Honors include lettering in Wrestling 3 years, qualifying for State Wrestling 2 times, being selected for the Academic All-State First Team for 3 years and All-State 2nd Team. She has also earned a Track Letter for 3 years, placed 5th at State Track in the 4x100 Relay, and received a Certificate of Outstanding Achievement from KSHSAA.
She is a member of WILD Science, Book Club, FCA, and Foreign Language Club, where she is the current Vice President.
Her Academic Honors include High Honor Roll, Academic Letters and being a member of the Honors Club.
Outside of school, she has participated in Wrestling Club, where she has qualified for Kids Club State twice.
After graduation, Neill plans to attend college to pursue a degree in Physical Therapy and possibly continue her wrestling career.
Ellianna Rose Coulter
Ellianna Rose “Elle” Coulter, 18, is the daughter of Stephen and Stacy Coulter of Eureka.
She has participated in Volleyball 4 years; Basketball 3 years, Softball 2 years and Track 1 year.
Her Athletic Honors include the Basketball team being named TVL Champs 2 years, TVL Co-Champs 1 year, Sub State Champs 2 years, Sub State Runner- Up 1 year, and 3rd place finish in 2A State Tournament. She has also been selected for the War on 54 All-Tournament 2nd Team, KBCA 2A All-State 3rd Team, and Wichita Eagle 2A All-State Honorable Mention.
She has been involved in SADD; Art Club; FCA; Foreign Language Club; and WILD Science. She currently serves as the President of both STUCO and FCA.
Her Academic Honors include High Honor Roll, Academic Letters, Honors Club, National Honor Society, and Tornado Awards in multiple subjects.
Outside of school, she is a member of the Sacred Heart Catholic Church, where she is a server and youth member leader.
After graduation, Coulter plans to attend Emporia State University to pursue a degree in Elementary Education.
Elizabeth Louise Foth
Elizabeth Louise Foth, 17, is the daughter of Jordon and Catherine Foth of Eureka.
She has participated in Cheerleading 4 years. She has been a member of SADD; SAFE; Art Club; FFA; and WILD Science. She is currently the President of both SADD and SAFE, and serves as Class Secretary.
Her Academic Honors include Honor Roll for 3 years and multiple Tornado Awards.
Outside of school, she is a member of the Harmony Sunflowers 4-H Club, where she has been Secretary for 2 years.
After graduation, Foth plans to attend Butler Community College to pursue a degree in Pediatric Nursing.
Elyssa James Wood
Elyssa James Wood, 18, is the daughter of Jason and Christal Wood of Eureka.
She has participated in Volleyball 2 years; Softball 3 years; Cross Country 1 year; and Band 4 years. She has earned letters in Band, Volleyball and Softball.
She is a member of WILD Science, FCA and is the current President of Book Club.
Her Academic Honors include Honor Roll, Academic Letters, Honors Club and Tornado Awards.
After graduation, Wood plans to attend Washburn University and pursue a degree in Radiology.
