Spirit Week brings Maricopa’s past and future into the present

Students and district staff really got into the spirit of things this year during the annual Spirit Week and Homecoming festivities. Whether dressing up, decorating floats or buying concessions at Homecoming events to support school PTOs, Maricopa Unified found its school spirit.

Kari Baker as her alter ego, Quail Man, from the cartoon series “Doug.”

M.H.S. student Ali del Cotto, dressed in her 1980s Decades Day outfit, gives a heartfelt peace sign.

Batman and Spongebob were spotted at the high school on Superhero Day.

Maricopa Elementary Principal Bonnie Gibson and Assistant Principal Matt Montoya joined the fun as Flash Gordon and Spongebob Squarepants.

The spirit spread to the community on Thursday as residents flocked to Honeycutt Road to watch fire trucks, police cars, ambulances and floats (designed and built by student groups and local companies) parade down the road. Almost forty participants joined in, including the M.H.S. band, cheerleaders, dancers, horse riders and even Mayor Kelly Anderson.

Mayor Kelly Anderson and son, Ian, took a vintage car ride down Honeycutt.

Winners of the float contest won a “Spirit Stick” to be displayed wherever the group or business desired. Judges awarded the National Honor Society’s float first place and the 2008 Royalty Car second place. The Santa Rosa Elementary Student Council Float and Maricopa High School’s Dance Team tied for third place honors. Judging was based on originality, use of the Homecoming theme (Maricopa’s Past is the Bridge to our Future), neatness and school spirit (integration of school colors, mascot and/or class year).

National Honor Society’s first place float.

The second place float aptly depicted the past and the future of Maricopa.

Santa Rosa Elementary School’s Student Council float tied for third place with the high school’s Dance Team entry (below).

Following the parade, the nighttime carnival festivities began. Featuring snacks, raffles, inflatable slides and games, the event offered something to do for all ages! Entertainment included face-painting, eggwalks, a dunk tank, pie-throwing and car smashing, darts, a haunted house, a jail, ring toss, soda chugging, a petting zoo – even a pretend wedding.

Kids played on the inflatable slide or tried their hand at kiddie fishing (below) during the carnival.

As darkness descended on the carnival site, the Maricopa Fire Department lit and then stayed to tend the spirit bonfire.

Maricopa High School students watched the bonfire burn brightly against the night sky.