Steamboat Pilot & Today

On Thursday, Hayden High School students will ponder math and history while wearing their finest formals.

It's certainly not the ordinary dress in the classroom, but homecoming is not an ordinary week.

Red Carpet Day is just one of many activities taking place this week for 2005 Homecoming, themed "Hollywood Style"

"We wanted a red carpet day to wear our prom dresses again," Student Council Vice President Alicia Hall explained.

Students also will dress up as their favorite movie or TV characters and show their spirit with orange and black day.

Classes with the most students wearing the designated attire earn points. The class with the most points at the end of the week wins a pizza party.

Classes add points with other activities, including boys vs. boys "macho volleyball" Tuesday and powder puff football for girls today.

Tonight, students will raise money for school beautification projects at the second annual Chili Cook Off, from 5 to 7 p.m. in the middle school cafeteria. Students are inviting residents to enter homemade chili in three categories: Red, green and white.

Adults will pay $5 and students 12 and younger pay $3 to taste entries and cast their votes for the winner, which will be announced at 6:45 p.m.

Students are hoping the Hayden community participates not only in the Chili Cook off, but in the homecoming parade, which starts at 1:30 p.m. in the Hayden Valley Elementary School parking lot and ends at the high school football field.

Hayden vs. Paonia volleyball starts with junior varsity games at 4 p.m. and varsity games at 6 p.m. The football game starts at 7:30 p.m.

Halftime will feature performances by the Hayden cheerleaders, the middle- and high-school band and the crowning of homecoming royalty.

-- To reach Tamera Manzanares, call 871-4204 or e-mail tmanzanares@steamboatpilot.com