News Features

Umatilla Homecoming Sees Schedule Changes Due To Milton

    The potential impact of Hurricane Milton on the area has wrecked Homecoming Week at Umatilla High School. What was scheduled as a weeklong celebration had been mostly canceled by mid-morning Monday, as Lake County Schools announced schools would be closed on Wednesday and Thursday. In addition, Tuesday was an early release day.
   The situation is disrupting the plans for the annual Homecoming Parade on SR 19 scheduled for Thursday afternoon, and Friday night’s Homecoming game against Lake Weir. The schedule changed as the day wore on Monday.
   “As of now the parade is canceled,” said UHS principal Brent Frazier on Monday morning. “The game and dance are scheduled to occur on Friday and Saturday as planned.”
   Later on Monday, Frazier announced that the Homecoming game against Lake Weir had been moved to Monday, October 14, and will not be the Homecoming game. Kickoff will be at 7 p.m. and be preceded by the annual installation of new members to the school's Legacy Hall at 6:45 p.m.
   Instead, the Homecoming festivities have been moved to Friday, October 18. The evening will begin with a recognition of fall sports seniors at 5:15 p.m. A parade of the class representatives and Homecoming Court will begin at 6:15 p.m. The Homecoming King and Queen will be crowned during halftime of the game, which begins at 7 p.m. against Pierson/Taylor.
   The annual Homecoming parade has been tentatively rescheduled from this Thursday, October 10, to next Thursday, October 17. The parade will be held on SR 19 pending city and FDOT approval of the new date.
   However, the Homecoming Dance is still on for this coming Saturday, October 12, from 7-11 p.m.
   The athletic association's ball drop fundraiser has been moved from this week to an unannounced future date.
   The changes will allow for the traditional week of in-school activities, with several days of Spirit Week festivities planned including students participating in America Day, College/Pro Team Day, Soccer Moms vs. BBQ Dads, Class Color Wars, and Spirit Day on Friday.
   “It is a very fluid situation,” Frazier said of all the changes.