Every homecoming week, the parade floats and hallway decorating competitions pit clubs and organizations against each other to see who can build the best floats and decorate the most spirited halls. Of course, this year was slightly different.

“I believe that this year was different because more people and groups wanted to try and do something that was normal, and came out to do just that,” Skills USA sponsor David Lanman said. “I have been at Wylie East for seven years, and I believe this is the largest amount of Homecoming decorations I have ever seen for a homecoming week. It was great.”

This year’s theme, “WE got the beat,” incorporated music elements into the floats and halls.

“We chose our steampunk theme because we thought it was a perfect combination between music and engineering and many of us are already fans of steampunk lore,” Robotics and Engineering junior Rachel Pitcock said. “Our favorite part of the competition was definitely the parade itself. It’s so amazing seeing the community come together and have fun despite COVID-19 coronavirus circumstances.”

For the float competition, Robotics and Engineering came in first place, softball in second with a hippie theme and basketball in third with an early 90s theme.

“It felt great to win the competition,” Pitcock said. “We dedicated so many hours to the float along with a lot of brainstorming and it made the whole club so happy to hear our club be recognized over the announcements as we’re trying to expand our club and outreach.”

For hallway decorations, SKILLSUSA came in first with a football field full of Raider pride, National Honor Society in second with a Talk Nerdy to Me theme and National Art Honor Society with a fantasia theme.

StuCo will deliver their certificates and goody baskets next week for all groups that placed in the competitions.

“Thank you, really thank you, to everyone that participated in all of the events this week. From the hallway decorating, to the dress-up days, to the parade, thank you, thank you, thank you,” Student Council Leader Mrs. Gholson said. “I know that this year has been far from perfect, but this last week there have been smiles, excitement and fun. Can’t mask this tradition.”