Heller and Townsend Crowned 2026 MHS Homecoming King and Queen

Liam Heller and Zayda Townsend were crowned the 2026 MHS Homecoming King and Queen at Coronation held at the National Guard Armory tonight, Sunday, September 20. Liam, who is the son of Jesse and Katie Heller, and Zayda, who is the daughter of Eric and Christine Townsend, will reign over the Bulldog halls and activities this week.  

The King and Queen will be supported by members of the 2026 Royal Court
Queen’s Court: Bailey Koepke, daughter of William Koepke and Ashley Kruse; Heyden Montag, daughter of Jacob and Megan Montag; Macyn Dunnihoo, daughter of Ryan and Miranda Dunnihoo; Macy Mueller, daughter of Mark and Emily Mueller; and Tayla Trapp, daughter of Derek and Tasha Trapp.

King’s Court: Mason Allen, son of Ryan and Kristin Allen; Thomas Bass, son of Nathan and Amy Bass; Beckham Berry, son of Justin Berry and Brynne Berry; Sam Rick, son of Chris and Jolene Rick; and Jeter Scoular, son of Ryan and Rondi Scoular.

Layten Osowski, the 2025 King and Anna Neugebauer, last year’s Queen, passed down the royal honors. Osowski attends North Dakota State College of Science in Wahpeton, North Dakota. Neugebauer attends North Dakota State University in Fargo, North Dakota.

Classic Board Games is the theme for 2026 Homecoming, and the evening’s entertainment featured the theme. The Burning of the “M’ was performed near  the conclusion of Coronation.

Senior Class –  Candyland
Junior Class – Monopoly 
Sophomore Class –  Clue
Freshmen Class  – Sorry 

Businesses and the community are invited to play along by choosing a classic board game for Homecoming parade entries and other activities. 

Dress-Up Days Start Monday
Monday, September 21– Meme Monday
Tuesday – Dress Like Your Type (Dress like someone you would date.)
Wednesday – Nowhere Else to Wear This + No Other Way to Carry This (Ex. – Wear an old prom dress + carry your school supplies in a wheelbarrow.)
Thursday – Dress Like Your Board Game
Friday – Maroon and Gold Day

Homecoming Buttons Cost $2 each

Elementary
Button sales at Milbank Elementary School and St. Lawrence School were completed on September 11  through a pre-order sheet that was sent home with each student.

Middle School
Middle school students can purchase buttons Monday, September 21 through Wednesday, September 23, from 7:45 a.m. – 8:10 a.m. outside the Milbank Middle School office.

High School
High school students can purchase buttons from any student council member throughout the week, while supplies last.

Homecoming Beads
Milbank Elementary and St. Lawrence
Order forms for Bulldog beads from Bulldogs Fighting Cancer were sent home to Milbank Elementary students and St. Lawrence students. The deadline to purchase was Friday, September 11. 

MMS and MHS
Milbank Middle School and high school students can buy beads by Officer Folk’s office Monday September 21 through Wednesday, September 23, from 7:45 a.m. – 8:10 a.m. Beads range from $2 to $10, depending on the type purchased.

Homecoming Parade
The Homecoming Parade will begin at 2 p.m. on Friday, September 25. Parade lineup is on Flynn Drive west of MHS. The parade route begins at the corner of Flynn Drive and Seventh Avenue, heads  west in front of the high school, and continues to S. Fifth Street, where it turns and goes north. 

The parade continues on S. Fifth  Street to E. Fifth Avenue, where it turns and goes west. At Main Street, the parade turns to go north. It ends at the corner of Main Street and E. Railway Avenue by the Milbank Mall and Bat Mobile Wireless. Questions about the parade? Contact Heidi Wellnitz at Heidi.Wellnitz@k12.sd.us.

Tailgate Party
Bulldogs Fighting Cancer will host the tailgate party from 5 p.m. until 7 p.m. prior to the football game. Get a grilled cheese sandwich, chips, bar/cookie, and a drink for just $5. 

Football Game
The Bulldogs will take on the Orioles of Lennox in their Homecoming football game on Friday, September 25. Kick off is 7 p.m

Post-Game Dodge Ball
Following the football game, the MHS Student Council will host a dodge ball tournament in the CTE gym. All students are welcome!

Homecoming Week Extracurricular Activities**
Monday, September 21–
JH Boys Golf at Groton
JV and C Football at Dell Rapids 
Tuesday –
Varsity Boys Golf at Watertown
Varsity and JV Girls Tennis vs. Lennox and Aberdeen Roncalli at Home
7th and 8th  Football vs. Dell Rapids at Home
Varsity/JV/C and 7th and 8th  Volleyball at Sioux Valley 
Thursday 
Varsity  Boys Golf at Sisseton
Varsity/JV/ and C Volleyball at Redfield
7th and 8th Volleyball at Watertown Middle School
Varsity Girls Tennis vs. Lac Qui Parle Valley at Home 
Friday
Varsity Homecoming Football vs. Lennox at Home – Kick-Off 7 p.m.
Saturday
Varsity Volleyball at Great Plains Lutheran Tournament at Watertown
Cross Country Border Battle at Grand Forks, North Dakota

** Check the official school calendar for updates or changes to these events.