Members of the 2008 Gehlen Catholic Homecoming royalty court are, front row (from left) -- Alex Westergard, Travis Sitzmann, Chris Gabriel, Brad Langel, and Austin Sitzmann. Back row -- Amanda Roder, Kayla Hatting, Emily Hutchins, Erica Janning, and Danielle Gunter. [Click to enlarge]

Gehlen Catholic Schools' 2008 Homecoming 2008 theme is "Stuff the Eagles." A full week of activities is planned culminating in a coronation ceremony and the football game Friday when the Gehlen Jays host the Marcus-Meriden Cleghorn Eagles.

The week began with the Homecoming Liturgy service at 8:45 a.m. today (Monday), with special guests The Rev. Gene Sitzmann and the Rev. Rick Sitzmann, priests who graduated in 1953, the last class at St. Joseph School.

Monday's sport activities include a cross country meet at Sioux City West at 4:30 p.m. and a junior varsity football game with Woodbury Central at 6 p.m.

Tuesday is "Blackout Day" for students, teachers and staff. Activities for the day are volleyball CBA vs. South O'Brien at 4:30 p.m.

Wednesday is 70s Day for students, teachers and staff.

At 7 p.m. the opening of St. Joseph's Cornerstone will be celebrated, followed by the bonfire and pep rally at 7:30 p.m. Gehlen students will be participating in the Diocesan Choral Festival at Algona Garrigan.

Thursday is Jukebox Day. On tap for sports is varsity volleyball War Eagle Conference Tournament at Sergeant Bluff.

Jay Spirit Day is Friday, and begins at 8:50 a.m. with the traditional Jay Olympics at Cleveland Park.

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Coronation of the homecoming king and queen is set for noon Friday in the school gymnasium, followed by the parade at 1:30 p.m.

This year's homecoming queen candidates are Danielle Gunter, daughter of james (Tony) and Barbara Gunter; Kayla Hatting, daughter of Kirk and Patty Hatting; Emily Hutchins, daughter of John and Pam Hutchins; Erica Janning, daughter of Norbert and Colleen Janning, and Amanda Roder, daughter of Terry and Patty Roder.

Candidate for homecoming king are Chris Gabriel, son of the Rev. and Mrs. Greg Gabriel; Brad Langel, son of Keith and Leslie Langel; Austin Sitzmann, son of Matt and Julie Sitzmann; Travis Sitzmann, son of Mitch and Annette Sitzmann; and Alex Westergard, son of Mike and Kim Westergard.

Lilli Harpenau is homecoming princess and Traegen Kramer is homecoming prince. Both are kindergarten students.

The Gehlen Jays take on the Eagles of Marcus-Meriden-Cleghorn in a 7 p.m. contest at Jim Lorenzen field in Le Mars. The homecoming dance will close out homecoming activities, held 9:30 p.m. to midnight.