“Patriots Got Game:” Pinewood Christian Academy’s 2025 Homecoming Week
By Haleigh McWilliams, PCA Senior
Pinewood Christianity Academy marked its 53rd annual Homecoming with the theme “Patriots Got Game,” treating students to a week filled with gaming-inspired spirit days and beloved traditions. Students showcased their creativity and school pride through themed outfits while participating in numerous festivities, including the senior breakfast, pep rally, and pre-game tailgate. The celebration peaked with the Pinewood vs. Westfield football game and the highlight of the evening: the crowning of the 2025 Homecoming Princess and Queen.
Monday kicked off with Madden Day, where PCA students donned the gear of their favorite teams like they were ready to step on the field. Students wore jerseys from NFL teams, college squads, and their own sports teams, channeling the energy of Madden 25. From Atlanta Falcons and Georgia Bulldogs gear to Pinewood Patriots uniforms, students showed their game-day spirit and team pride throughout campus.
Tuesday brought digital heroes to life with Minecraft Day. Students powered up for Homecoming Week by dressing as their favorite video game characters. Whether they were Minecraft builders, high-speed racers from Mario Kart, or classic icons like Pac-Man, students brought their gamer creativity IRL. The hallways were filled with pixelated costumes, character props, and plenty of gaming nostalgia.
Wednesday was UNO Day, where students played their cards right with “Color Me Crazy.” Students showed up head-to-toe in a single bold color, whether it be red, blue, green, or yellow, while others went wild with Wild Card patterns featuring dots, stripes, and plaids. The campus became a vibrant rainbow of creativity as students embraced the colorful spirit of this classic card game.
Thursday challenged students to showcase their creativity with Scrabble Day. Students dressed as something that started with the first letter of their name, putting their own spin on wordplay. The campus was filled with clever costume choices as students transformed into everything from their favorite foods and animals to professions and pop culture characters. The variety of interpretations made for one of the most creative spirit days of the week.
The week ended with Spirit Day. Students and faculty were decked out in all of their green, orange, and white attire, showing Patriot pride from head to toe. The day began with the Senior class’s annual parade. Students throughout the school were invited to watch the seniors ring in their last day of homecoming during homeroom. Seniors decorated their cars, trucks, and other vehicles with patriot-themed decor and drove down Buck Cravey Drive, honoring another classic Pinewood tradition.
Cheerleader Hush Day remains one of Pinewood’s beloved homecoming traditions. On Friday, each member of the varsity cheer team was not allowed to talk to their friends or classmates, only teachers and faculty. If they accidentally spoke to a fellow student, the name tag they wore was given to them, and, at the end of the day, that person got to pie their cheerleader at the homecoming pep rally.
To end the school day, the varsity cheerleaders led the school in a pep rally in the Eddie Durrence Gymnasium to get the team and students excited for Friday night’s game. The varsity football team rushed into the gym, high-fiving the students getting them pumped up for their big game. The cheerleaders opened the pep rally with a game-day routine. Next, upper school students chosen from each grade participated in games of cheerleader ring toss and a balloon-popping relay race. Afterwards, the seniors enjoyed another classic PCA tradition of playing Ships and Sailors, where students follow naval-inspired directions until they are unable to and have to leave the game. This annual tradition, reserved for seniors only, served as a way for the spectators to cheer on their favorite senior. Then, it was time for the prestigious upper school spirit stick, and lower school spirit bell, to be awarded to the loudest grades in the lower and upper school. The pep rally concluded with the highly anticipated pieing of the varsity cheerleaders.
The pre-game festivities began with the annual Homecoming Tailgate, catered by Rusty Pig of Glennville, in the Randy Roderick Gymnasium for fellowship and food.
Minutes before kickoff, spectators gathered at Lowell Coley Field to watch this year’s senior homecoming representatives as they were driven onto the field on golf carts driven by Nicolas Nobles, Ethan Stavriotis, Jonathan Fries, Emmett Daniel, and Tucker Nobles as chauffeurs. The 7th grade, 8th grade, freshmen, sophomore, and junior representatives were also announced and escorted onto the field.
During halftime, the homecoming representatives were escorted onto the field for the crowning ceremony of the 2025 Homecoming Queen and Princess. Vying for the crown this year were seniors Libby Kate Blocker, Meredith Massey, Haleigh McWilliams, Ramsey Middleton, and Mimi Parker. Lower class representatives included Ava Anderson (11th), Madisyn Johnson (11th), Abigail Barratta (11th), Ever Downs (10th), Adelyn Ammermon (10th), Bonnie Blocker (9th), Ruth Rogers (8th), and Ella Kate Davis (7th). The crowns for the queen and princess were presented by first grader Drummond Porter, son of Jonathan and Ashlyn Porter; the bouquets were presented by Josie Watkins, daughter of Stephen and Jenna Watkins, who served as the flower girl.
Once all the representatives entered the field, Genevieve Bradley, the 2024 Homecoming Queen, announced and crowned the princess and queen. The title of 2025 Pinewood Christian Academy Homecoming Princess was awarded to Libby Kate Blocker, daughter of Addie and Bryan Wiggins and the late Adam Blocker. The 2025 Pinewood Christian Academy Homecoming Queen was awarded to Mimi Parker, daughter of Brandon and Natalie Parker.
We would like to give a big thank you to Kyle Durrence with Kyle Durrence CartZone of the South for providing us with the golf carts for tonight. We also would like to thank Mrs. Lori Brown for organizing the transport of the golf carts. Our flowers tonight are from Claxton’s newest florist, Patty Jean’s Florist and More. Emma Todd, owner and PCA alumna, invites you all to join her at the grand opening on October 2nd. Thank you Emma!
The “Patriots Got Game” theme captured the energy of Pinewood’s 53rd annual Homecoming, mixing gaming-inspired creativity with the school’s longstanding traditions. Students embraced each day’s challenge with enthusiasm, transforming the campus into a week-long celebration of school spirit. As another Homecoming week came to a close, it was clear that the Pinewood community knows how to make memories that last well beyond the last bell.
