Selection of homecoming royalty begins festivities

The halls of Brandon Valley High School are buzzing with excitement, as students gear up for one of the most exciting and festive weeks of the school year: Homecoming.

From Sept. 15-20, the greater Brandon Valley community will come together to celebrate Lynx pride with a packed schedule of spirit days, activities and traditions that showcase the pride and unity that define Brandon Valley.

The celebratory week begins Monday evening at 7 with a longtime tradition: Coronation. The event is staged in the Performing Arts Center. Candidates for Brandon Valley homecoming queen are Emma Langerock, Maya Matthies, Samantha Morris, Anika Pederson and Ella Zhukaliuk, The king candidates include brothers, Briggs and Brayden Knutson, Thaddeus Miller, Mikah Peters and Bryton Stroh.

Another longstanding tradition at Brandon Valley is the Tradition of Giving. Each year, the BVHS Student Council selects a non-profit or a local cause to recognize by collecting donations on the recipient’s behalf. This year, This is the Way Foundation was chosen.

BVHS associate principal Jordan Paula said This Is The Way was selected based on the impact Spencer Thorsland had – and continues to have – on the community.

“As a classmate of the current freshmen class, in addition to the Foundation providing scholarships back to BV students, it is a natural fit. By focusing on this Foundation, we hope to honor Spencer’s legacy while also helping others impacted by pediatric cancer,” Paula said.

Thorsland sadly passed away on Jan. 8, 2024, following his three-year fight against cancer. The Brandon 13-year-old left behind an inspiring story of resilience, hope and kindness, all of which ultimately led to his family earlier this year establishing the This Is The Way Foundation, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit public charity. The ultimate goal is to raise $100,000 for “The Eventually Scholarship(s)” to be awarded to Brandon Valley students pursuing careers in the medical field.

The Eventually Scholarship is the Foundation’s first initiative that honors Spencer’s dream of becoming a trauma or plastic surgeon.

Spencer often said, “Eventually cancer will be defeated. Eventually we’ll find a cure. Eventually we’ll all be healed.”

By empowering the next generation of medical professionals, starting right here at Brandon Valley, Spencer’s mother, Lori Huml and family hope to inspire solutions and healing in the fight against cancer. The goal is to offer the first scholarship to the Brandon Valley High School Class of 2026.

To learn more or to donate, visit thisisthewayfoundation.org or contact Huml at (612) 418-9501.

“We are so honored to receive this recognition,” said Huml, whose employer, Pipestone, is also sponsoring a food truck prior to Friday’s homecoming football game at 6 p.m. against Sioux Falls Roosevelt. Starting at 4 p.m., a pulled pork sandwich, chips, cookie and water meal will be available for $10 per plate.

Paula said this is one of a handful of opportunities to contribute to the Tradition of Giving fund throughout the week. Donation buckets will be at the door/gate of both coronation and Friday evening’s football game. 

Also, to further promote This Is The Way Foundation, newly-designed rubber bracelets will be sold throughout the week for $5 each, and are available in both youth and adult sizes.

In following another tradition at BVHS, each day of the week has been assigned a “dress up day” theme. On Monday, students will “Dress Like a Parent” and the staff will “Dress Like a Student.” Tuesday and Wednesday are “Music Genre Day” and “Character Day,” respectively. “Color Day” is Thursday and the week closes out with Spirit Day on Friday.