Gabe Stark
The Trenton Telegraph

Trenton residents gathered at C.F. Russell Stadium for the Community Pep Rally Wednesday, celebrating the achievements of the high school students in their sports. However, due to issues with the weather, particularly lightning, the event had to be shortened.

The cheerleaders and color guard began the night with a performance as the band played from the bleachers. Minutes in, lightning struck, and STUCO sponsor Mr. Dalrymple beckoned for the students to get off the field. Color Guard came in and continued performing in front of the crowd, and the Homecoming attendants left their line-up to take shelter underneath the stadium.

The rally continued despite the storm, with Susan Leeper, the Grand Marshal, being introduced. Leeper spent 34 years working for the Trenton R-9 School District, and she continues to be a substitute teacher to this day.

Then the coaches introduced their teams and explained what their particular sport was doing. Coach Travis Mullenix introduced girls’ golf, highlighting how seniors Ali Cox and Kinsley Otto were great leaders for the underclassmen.

Coach Dave Burkybile introduced his mascots, remarking on how excited he was to have five high school mascots and ten middle school mascots. They had planned a Wizard of Oz-themed performance, but due to the weather, they had to cancel.

Next was Coach Bradley Ewald with girls’ volleyball. He remarked about how one of the team’s goals was to have fun, but that they had to “work hard to have that fun”.

Softball’s Coach, Madison Stillwell, talked about how the team was now at a record of 7-6 after winning a conference game against Maysville, and that the girls were continuing to improve as they worked hard in practice and continue to learn about the game.

Sarah Sager with Girls Tennis, spent some time introducing her three seniors, Kylee Corwin, Katy Simpson, and Shelby Romesburg, and stated that their record was 1-2, but they hoped to improve it in the upcoming games.

Band Director Anthony Webb spoke about how this year the band has been pushed harder than any other year he has been there, with a few weeks of high-intensity rehearsals that he hopes will pay off as they travel to their upcoming competition in Carrollton. He also stated that they plan to make this their third consecutive year undefeated in indoor drum line.

Following that was Laurie Bonta, with Color Guards 14 “dancing queens” and one “dancing king.” They planned to showcase their show, correspondingly named Dancing Queen, on Friday night.

Cheer Coaches Erica Zang and Jackie Price thanked the community for their involvement in fundraisers and encouraged everyone to come watch the halftime shows on Friday nights.

Coach Kevin Hixson got the crowd fired up as he introduced the football team and coaches. He stated that the team had a great week of practice and encouraged the crowd to come out on Friday to support the team for homecoming.

Finally Coach John Adwell was presented as the nights guest speaker. Adwell spoke about what football meant to him and the impacts that it has had on his life. He remarked on the importance of teamwork and pointed out that in life its not about what one person can do, its about what a team can do together. Adwell then went on to say that one of his favorite things about Trenton is that it reminds him of where he came from, full of hardworking people who know that if you want something in life, you have to work hard for it, and take nothing for granted.

Following this, the homecoming court made their walk starting with freshmen Jace McCall and Kennedy Cross, sophomores Gabe Makovec and Bella White, juniors Bradly Miller and Lillian Golden, and finally seniors Elijah Miller and Olivia Tabbert, Chase Foster and Mylee Baker, and Cooper Houser and Kambrea Brown.

Crown bearers Edie Gott and Lincoln Hainey then walked and presented the crown for the to-be King and Queen. Then, after a moment of anticipation, it was announced that Elijah Miller and Kambrea Brown would be the 2025 Homecoming King and Queen.