September is a time of heading into fall festivals, football, and homecoming for communities like Maynardville. On Friday, September20, Maynardville held its annual Homecoming Parade and football game. The parade began at 5:30pm with some beautiful floats and homecoming queen candidates tossing candy to the crowds as they cruised the streets.

Shortly following the parade, the Union County High School Patriots hosted Sullivan East Patriots on the new turf field with a crowd filling the stands. The UCHS Band and Flag Team hyped up the fans with both pregame and postgame performances. Ending the first quarter of the game, UC Patriots led 6 – 0. By halftime Sullivan East had scored, but still UC headed the game at 14 – 13. The final score, with an impressive game by the patriots was 27 – 20. Congratulations to UCHS patriots on their Homecoming win, well deserved.

During halftime, candidates for UCHS Homecoming Queen were escorted onto the field for the crowning. This year, seven young ladies put in a tremendous amount of effort fundraising for their clubs, teams, and organizations as a part of the homecoming competition.

Junior Emily Bentley, daughter of James and Margaret Bentley, ran for Track and Field and was escorted by Senior Dawson Epperson. Junior Jaylan Hopson, daughter of Ronny and Brandy Hopson was escorted by Junior Josh Brantley and was the candidate for HOSA. Amanda Elliot, Senior, was sponsored by Band and Color Guard. She is the daughter of Junior and Misty McKinney and was escorted by Senior Tanner Brooks.

UCHS Cheerleaders sponsored senior Brook Needham, daughter of Brian Ray and Spring Needham. She was escorted by Aaron Shoffner, senior. Senior Kailyn Griffey was the candidate running for the softball team. She is the daughter of Brad and Laura Griffey and was escorted by senior Andy Oliver. Horace Maynard FFA sponsored Kennedy Hill as their representative. Her parents are Shawn and Tammie Hill and she was escorted by senior Mac Lockhart. Marissa Corum, senior and daughter of James and Tina Corum was escorted by senior Isiah Williams and was the girls’ soccer team candidate.

For the crowning, the 2018 UCHS Homecoming Queen was present to pass her crown to the newest Queen. Senior, Savannah Jones was escorted by her brother, HMMS student, Trent Jones and was proudly representing FFA.

Congratulations are in order for all candidates in the 2019-2020 Homecoming race. These fine young ladies, with a huge amount of support from their teams, clubs, families, and the community, were very successful and tasteful in their fundraising ventures. As a whole the girls raised $62,162.26.

Second runner up for the candidacy was Ms. Jaylan Hopson, HOSA, raising $6,062.83. Runner-up, raising $14,026.23, was the Horace Maynard FFA candidate, Ms. Kennedy Hill. The newly crowned UCHS Homecoming Queen for 2019-2020, totaling $31,702.08 in fundraising for the softball game, was Ms. Kailyn Griffey.

The Homecoming Committee put in numerous hours to make this a successful event for the school. The committee would like to thank Union County Rescue Squad, Maynardville Police Department, Union County Sheriff’s Department, and everyone who participated and attended the parade. Also, a sincere thanks to Flowers by Bob for donating the beautiful roses for the homecoming event. All sponsors and the community is graciously appreciated for their devotion to the ladies and their respective organizations in their fundraising events. Congratulations all!