Bright lights and packed stands welcomed the Vashon Pirates to their homecoming football game against the Kingston Buccaneers on Friday, Oct. 11.

On the field, the Pirates took a hard 0-60 loss to the Kingston Buccaneers, but members of the high school’s band and the cheerleading team kept spirits high as students cheered the Pirates on.

This year’s homecoming court, decided through a nomination and voting process facilitated by student ASB leaders, were honored at an all-school assembly, the football game and the homecoming dance.

Freshmen Pierce Guenther and Gloria Erickson, sophomores Madelynn Middling and Oliver Scriver, juniors Oskar Cobb-Maigetter and Cecilia Guenther and seniors Katie Deloach & Elizabeth Abner were crowned by their classmates and took to the field as the 2024 Homecoming Court. (Cobb-Maigetter and Guenther reprised their places in the court from last year.)

Then, at halftime came the race around the field — accompanied by some traditional race tomfoolery.

At halftime, the homecoming court donned their royal regalia and raced the lap around the track on a variety of wheeled vehicles, even including a cart. Two of the competitors — Cobb-Maigetter and Guenther — abandoned their cart halfway through the race and finished on foot, pumping their fists for the cheering crowd.

The VHS band plays during Oct. 11 homecoming game against Kingston. (Alex Bruell photo)

VHS Football Coach Brain Banducci speaks to the team. (Alex Bruell photo)

Jack Langland, Theo Lerman, Kasen Moe, Soren Blomengren and Charlie Williams hang hang out on the fences to watch some football on Oct. 11. (Alex Bruell photo)

Cheerleaders pump up the crowd. (Alex Bruell photo)

Freshman Class homecoming court honorees Pierce Guenther and Gloria Erickson rode to glory at the halftime crowning ceremony. (Alex Bruell photo)

Junior Class homecoming court honorees Oskar Cobb-Maigetter and Cecilia Guenther finished their honorary halftime lap on their feet. (Alex Bruell photo)