Homecoming Week Ends in Cubs Victory
Olney ISD students celebrated Homecoming with costumes, a parade, coronations, acts of kindness and fundraising before the Cubs capped the week with a thrilling 4236 victory over the Archer City Wildcats on Friday, Sept. 18.
Olney High School students showed their spirit throughout the week with special dress-up days, including “Dress Like a Holiday,” “Role Reversal” and “Spies in Disguise.”
Students traded their costumes for Cub red on Wednesday, parading through town on an assortment of decorated vehicles before gathering for an evening pep rally at Cub Stadium.
The pep rally included the crowning of the 2026 Homecoming Hunk. Senior nominees were Tucker Cortinez, Maddox Johnson, Jamarcus Collins and Ryder Lisle. Mr. Johnson received the crown.
Homecoming festivities continued during halftime at Friday night’s football game. Senior queen nominees Aubree Englishbee, Braelyn Casteel, Katy Rosales and Ava Stewart were escorted onto the field by their fathers.
Ms. Stewart, accompanied by her father, Olney High School biology teacher Will Stewart, was crowned the 2026 Homecoming Queen. She received the crown from 2025 Homecoming Queen Allison Alvarado, who was accompanied by her father and courtiers Rhett Mankins and Autumn Ballard.
The week also generated community support for Olney students and school programs.
The Olney Chamber of Commerce also hosted its customary Homecoming Tailgate Party before Friday’s game at the Olney ISD cafeteria, where attendees gathered for fellowship and a chicken spaghetti meal prepared by Hudson’s on Main.
The Friends of Olney FFA held a silent auction at Cub Stadium during Friday’s game, raising approximately $2,600 for scholarships and other support for the Olney FFA chapter, organizers said.
Olney Elementary School students also surpassed expectations during their Raise Craze fundraiser. Students performed more than 2,600 acts of kindness while collecting over $19,000 for the school.
OES Principal Halli Mankins said students exceeded both this year’s fundraising goal and the amount raised during last year’s campaign. Raise Craze combines fundraising with service by encouraging students to seek donations while completing acts of kindness at home, at school and throughout the community.
The week ended with the Cubs battling Archer City in a seesaw Homecoming game filled with long passes, breakaway runs and late turnovers. Olney held off a fourth-quarter Wildcats rally to preserve the win.
Between the school spirit, community support, student service and victory under the Friday night lights, Homecoming week proved both fun and successful for Olney ISD.