CAMP ZAMA, Japan (Oct. 23, 2015) -- School spirit was among the students, faculty and staff at Zama American High School as they celebrated homecoming week Oct. 13-17 with several events and activities leading up to the ZAHS Trojan's first home football game against the Yokota High School's Panthers on Oct. 16.
The celebration kicked off with "Toga Tuesday" on Oct. 13 when students dressed like Trojans; Gender-Bender/Wacky Tacky Day Wednesday followed on Oct. 14 and Twin/Flock/Dynamic Duo Day Thursday followed on Oct. 15.
A powder-puff flag football scrimmage was also held the evening of the Oct. 15 at Rambler Field between the ZAHS's seniors and sophomores-- the black team, playing against ZAHS's juniors and freshmen-- the white team.
The white team took home the victory with a score of 28 to 07.
A bonfire was ignited on the diamond of the baseball field shortly after the flag football scrimmage as part of the festivities.
"This was our first spirit week for the school year and I think our school as a whole did a great job participating," said Madison Ward, a ZAHS junior and the student body president.
Students and faculty assembled in the school gymnasium for a pep rally conducted by the ZAHS cheerleaders the day of the game. Sounds of applause, foot stomping and cheers filled the gym as the football players made their entrance.
This was also "Class Color Day" with freshmen wearing pink; sophomores wearing purple; juniors wearing blue; and seniors wearing red.
Several games and activities took place during the prep rally to include volley matches and relay races between the seniors and sophomores verses the juniors and freshmen. The seniors also took on the teachers in a volley ball match with the teachers winning.
The juniors won the spirit stick for having the most participation points for homecoming week and $400 from the ZAHS Parent-Teacher Organization for having the most parents to join PTO for the current school year.
"I really enjoyed the week and look forward to our next spirit week," said Ward.
A homecoming parade was scheduled but cancelled due to the rain, and in spite of the rainy weather, the football game went on as scheduled.
"It's really important to me because I'm a senior and this is my last homecoming," said Keanu Cruz, offensive captain for the Trojans football team.
Cruz said he wanted the game to be enjoyable not just for himself but for the entire team and for the fans who came out in the rain to support the ZAHS football team.
"Whether we win or lose, we're just here to have some fun," said Cruz.
During the first half of the game, the Trojans and Panthers made it difficult for each other to score, going into halftime zero to zero.
At halftime, the homecoming king and queen were crowned.
In the third quarter, the Trojans scored the first touchdown; however, the game quickly turned in favor of the Panthers when they scored two touch downs and continued scoring the remainder of the game.
The game ended with a final score of Panthers 49 and Trojans 14.
"We're a bit on the young side, but the future for us is looking pretty bright," said Scott Bolin, the Trojan's head coach. "We're competitive and that's where we want to be."
Homecoming week ended with a homecoming dance held Oct. 17 in the school cafeteria.
Social Sharing