Rankin1220web

The CHALKBOARD
Florence
2020 has been unusual, to say the least. The 2019-2020 school year
ended with lots of disappointment for the Florence Eagles as they watched
entire sports seasons get canceled, prom canceled, and graduation turn
into a drive-thru ceremony.
The summer led to more uncertainty as they wondered if they would
be back together at FHS. They wondered if they would have sports. They
wondered if they would have homecoming and prom. They missed friends
and classmates who moved to distance learning and homeschool.
However, the Eagles have grown stronger. They found resilience and
determination. They have realized that there are some things that Corona
can never take away.
The student council, football team, varsity dance team, varsity
cheerleaders, counseling department, and digital media team decided that
Homecoming 2020 will celebrate the things that corona can’t take away.
For Homecoming 2020, Eagles at Steen’s Creek, Florence Elementary,
Florence Middle, and Florence High celebrated their pride, their
friendships, their talents, their education, and their spirit. The preparation
began with videos created by the FHS digital media team. The team
visited all 4 zone schools to document Eagle groups and teams thriving in
spite of Corona. Sports teams showed off their skills and spirit. The bands
and choirs displayed their rhythm and musical talent. The academic
teams and service teams showed their dedication and commitment. The
FHS JROTC showcased their discipline and technique. Every K-12 Eagle
proudly demonstrated his or her pride, strength, and courage.
Because social distancing would not allow for the usual large
parade, the student council, cheerleaders, and dance team planned a
Thursday night pep rally outdoors at Eagle Field. The groups worked
diligently to make sure that every Eagle could be invited and every safety
precaution was taken. Mini-pep rallies were conducted Friday morning
outside of Florence Elementary and Steen’s Creek Elementary as the FES
and SCE Eagles were given performances by the JROTC, FHS Big Red
Band, varsity cheerleaders, and varsity dance team. The Little Eagles
made signs to wish their FHS Eagles football team good luck in the
homecoming game.
During the week, the Eagles used the craziness of Corona to plan fun
dress-up days. Monday was Ugly Mask Day. Students decorated masks
to make them as tacky as possible. Students celebrated Vacay To Staycay
Day on Tuesday as they dressed for all of the summer adventures that
Corona ruined. On HoliDAZE Wednesday, students dressed for a holiday
that Corona wrecked. On Thursday, every Eagle remembered that Corona
can’t take their graduation by wearing their class year. Finally, on Friday,
every Eagle celebrated Eagle pride by wearing red, black, and white.
Because there could be no homecoming dance, the student council
jumped on the TikTok dance craze and sponsored a competition to create
the best videos. Local businesses jumped in to support by donating prizes
for category winners. Several student groups created dance videos that
corresponded with the theme and showed their spirit and Eagle Pride.
Principal Tony Martin even made a cameo in a video with the varsity
dance team.
The week ended with the crowning of 2020 Homecoming Queen
Sara Grace Jackson, Football Maid Maggy Greer, and an Eagle
homecoming victory over Quitman.
Although the 2020 football season looked different and created the
need for adjustments, the Eagles have grown closer and learned that that
#Coronacant take away the things that truly matter.
102 • DECEMBER 2020