Homecoming Court, Silver M’ers introduced

Homecoming in Merrill isn’t all about football. Well, it is all kind of connected, but there are more fun traditions in addition to the Homecoming Football Game. There’s the Homecoming Parade that precedes the Saturday festivities, and the dance afterward. And of course, dress-up days and the bonfire in the days before. And we can’t forget about the Marching Jays and their awesome halftime performance. Check out all the Homecoming photos in this issue, and a lot more photos online, courtesy of Blue Sky Photography/Peter Tesch and Ashley Ford.

Homecoming Court
At the game, the 2026 Merrill High School Homecoming Court was introduced, as each girl was escorted onto the field by her parents.
2026 Homecoming Freshman Princess Addie Mulrooney was escorted by her parents, Amber and Tim Mulrooney, and Sophomore Princess Amelia Weberpal was escorted by her parents, Hillary and Matt Weberpal.
Junior Princess Finlee Lange-Peronto was escorted by her parents, Leah Lange and Elizabeth and Mitch Peronto.

2026 Homecoming Senior Princess Grace Hoff was escorted by her parents, Molly Hoff-Davis and John Davis; Senior Princess Vanessa Pintor was escorted by her parents, Polly and Martin Pintor; and Senior Princess Emma Ziebell was escorted by her parents, Jaci Perra and Kurt Ziebell.
2026 Homecoming Queen Josilynn “Josie” Geiss was escorted by her parents, Michelle and Andy Geiss.

Silver M’ers introduced
This year’s Silver, Golden, and Diamond inductees into the Merrill Silver M Club were also introduced.
Twelve members were inducted into the Silver M level this year, marking 25 years since they earned their first letter in 2001. The Silver M inductees were Kyle Bloch, Adam Getgen, Christofer Grefe, Shane Herdt, John Jameson, Andy Johnson, Blake Johnson, Derek Krause, Aaron Labau, Jesse Schiefelbein, Jordan Stine, and Bryan Weckwerth.

Nineteen members were inducted into the Golden M level, 50 years after earning their first letter in 1976. The Golden M inductees were Phil Borchardt, Doug Brandt, Dick Duginski, Greg English, Jack Erickson, Erik Finanger, Bob Grefe, Dan Jackson, Luke Janowiak, John Klimek, Erin McCarthy, Bill Ollhoff, Steve Peck, Mike Renken, Val Runge, Craig Schielke, Mike Smith, Kirby Stoelting, and Dale Yorde. Renken and Stoelting were inducted posthumously.
George Sladek was inducted into the Diamond M level, 75 years after earning his first letter in 1951.