Phelps and “The Lieutenant” among Soda Springs Homecoming Week highlights

It was a busy Homecoming week for Soda Springs, coming in between Homecoming for North Gem several weeks ago and Grace next week.  While the results of the Homecoming Football game against the visiting Malad Dragons didn’t end with the result the team was hoping for, all the other elements of Homecoming provided a great start to the seniors’ last year, and a good atmosphere for the underclassmen.  

Beyond the game, the week held all kinds of student-led activities during the week, the traditional Homecoming parade, the naming of the royalty, and a Homecoming dance inside the Enders Hotel. 

As to the game itself, while the end result was a loss the team had some bright spots, and was treated to the deployment of the 60’ by 30’ flag, “The Lieutenant,” which was overseen by 101 year old veteran Tom Phelps.

On Monday, SSHS along with the fire department, veterans, and members of the community, gathered at Kelly Park for the traditional bonfire.  As reported last week, veterans brought pizza for everyone, including the fire department who was on hand to make sure the fire stayed where it was supposed to.  Retired flags were given their last salute, overseen by the veterans.  

The parade was headed by Grand Marshals Kristen and Larry Simmons.  This year’s parade route was extended a bit to allow for more roadside viewing space, and passed by the Thirkill elementary as well as Heritage Senior Living.  In both cases, the crowds were excited about the floats, and the candy!

Myrna McCullough was named the winner of the Spirit of the Cardinal Award.  

A Tailgate Party was held prior to the game, which saw the efforts of many parents, local businesses, and organizers pay off with a well-attended and busy event.   

Prior to the game, the Homecoming Royalty (and senior contenders) were brought out to the field.  The underclassmen were named as follows:

Freshman Lady Mialexys Gonzalez, escorted by father Octavio Gonzalez.  Freshman Lord Kord Hobbs, escorted by cousin Morgan Steele.  

Sophomore Duchess Cheynne Brown, escorted by father Bryce Brown.  Sophomore Duke Noah Hansen, escorted by mother Hope Hansen.

Junior Princess Miriam Evans, escorted by her father Richard Evans.  Junior Prince Timothy Vedder, escorted by his mother Shari Vedder.

Senior King and Queen candidates included Macie Hansen, Ashtin Call, Courtnee Gronning, Cooper Thompson, AmeliaRose Harris, Barrett Hobbs, Madilyn Kempe, Elijah Dilworth, Maggie Byram, Preston Ozburn, Ellie Wood, and Cole Garbett.

After the envelope was opened, it was announced that the 2025 King and Queen would be Cooper Thompson and Madilyn Kempe, the First Attendants would be Elijah Dilworth and Macie Hansen, and Second Attendants Ashtin Call and Courtnee Gronning. 

  Immediately before the game, a first of its kind ceremony to “deploy” a 30 foot by 60 foot flag nicknamed “The Lieutenant” was held.  Involving dozens of helpers who gathered on the field prior to the game (including community members, students, and even some of the Malad JV team), the flag was displayed on the field under the alert eye of flag captain, Second Class Radio Man Thom Phelps, who turned 101 on September 22.  

The logistics involved in bringing the large flag to town and “training” the volunteers to handle it during the deployment ceremony were largely handled by Kate Lauck, whose brother in law was indirectly the cause of the flag’s acquisition.  Major Brent Taylor was killed in Afghanistan around seven years ago, and “The Major” has hung in the canyon in Ogden in honor over the years.  Damage due to the elements required the purchase of a new flag, and the “Lieutenant” is the result of one of the related flags purchased after the original, and which are taken around the country to high school, university, and parade events.

The Enterprise had the privilege of speaking with guest flag captain Tom Phelps on the occasion of last year’s birthday, and it was a treat to see him out on the field!  Phelps was escorted onto the field by Number 29 for the Cardinals, Linebacker Elijah Dilworth.  Dilworth’s father, First Class Petty Officer Loren Dilworth, is currently on deployment at Sheppard Air Force Base.  

The National Anthem was sung in fantastic fashion by Zjoli Skinner, as the audience rose to stand facing the field where the Lieutenant was “waved” by its holders, creating an unforgettable sight and start to the night.  

To finish out the week, the Homecoming Dance was set up at the Enders Hotel.  Over the course of the year, the city of Soda Springs has been in something of a limbo state as it figures out what the next step for the Hotel (gifted to the city several years ago by the Maughan family) should be.  Currently, a proposal to make a state park out of the building, the geyser, and a few other sites in town is under discussion at the state level, but in the meantime the city has decided to create a fee schedule for renting the building out for community events.  This Homecoming Dance, as well as the upcoming Festival of Trees, are well-suited to the location and it remains to be seen whether it becomes an annual venue, or a one-off event.

The dance was DJ’ed by Ryan Carpenter, and Soda Sip provided drinks.  The Student Council and many adult helpers helped to make the night a huge success.

As a fun and busy week comes to an end, Grace’s Homecoming Week begins on October 5, and the parade will be at 3:00 p.m. on Friday, October 10.  Friday’s game is against Clearwater Valley at 7:00 p.m.