The Homecoming King and Queen nominees were announced at the end of the school day on September 11. The King and Queen are voted on by the student body and will be announced at the homecoming game on September 15.

The nominees are Jiana Abdelnour, Caroline Allen, Habib Bello, Emilie Haji-sheikh, Christian Kassab, Eli McCourt, John Paddock, Rama Varansi, Imanni Wright, and Simona Zhu. Click through the photo gallery above for more information.

The third day of Homecoming Week was U.S.A. Day for students to show off their red, white and blue. Clothing ranged from bandanas to political shirts to stars and striped leggings.

With Picture Day coinciding with U.S.A. Day, students were faced with the decision of dressing in American colors or opting to wear other clothes for their photos. Some students found themselves changing their outfits for their pictures in order to dress up for both events, while others stuck with their patriotic fashion for the entire day.

Senior Leah Louis-Ferdinand, who kept to her American colors throughout the school day, emerged as winner of the Hawkeye Twitter poll for patriotic garb.

Thursday, the day of the Blackhawk Games, was themed Class Color Day. Each grade dressed depending on their grade’s theme, which were each different superheroes. Students embellished their costumes with the items from their spirit packages, including capes, masks and a variety of noisemakers. Others brought in items from home, such as pajama bottoms and tutus.

The Hawkeye’s Twitter poll, unlike previous days, were based not on specific people. Instead, it asked which class showed the most class pride, and the Class of 2018 Seniors won.

The first home game of the football season is also the Homecoming game, the last event for the celebratory week leading up to the Homecoming Dance. The Blackhawks will be playing the Rochester Adams Highlanders, who have a 3-0 record. “Adams is really athletic, but I think we’ll be fine,” said senior and quarterback John Paddock. “Everyone’s really excited and fired up to get on the field. It’s the first home game coming back, so it’s going to be a good crowd.”

Kickoff is at 7:00 p.m. at the Bloomfield Hills High School football field and the theme is blackout.

“Stroke, stroke, stroke, stroke!” The crowd sways from left to right, following movement of a dark swaying hammer. The hammer swings back and the audience rises to its feet in cheers.

Bloomfield Hills High School has a new Hammer Authority team this year, and as a result of Homecoming week, members are enthusiastic to foster school spirit for the year.

Senior Caroline Allen said of the group’s goal in these first few weeks of school, “Hammer authority is special to BHHS as a way to help instill school spirit in the student body. This homecoming [week] is a big deal for hammer authority to help generate a cohesive, fun attitude leading up to the homecoming football game and dance.” Hammer Authority is a team of seniors that leads cheers and chants at sports games and pep assemblies throughout the year.

Allen added how the homecoming date influenced Hammer Authority’s approach.

“Especially because homecoming is on the second week of school this year, our energy at the Black Hawk games, Pep Assembly, and the Football helps set the tone for the rest of the school year,” she said. ”

In addition to keeping the school spirit running on high throughout the year, each student on Hammer wants to bring their own special quality to the team.

“My goal is to create a fun and exciting environment for everyone, so we all have a good time,” said senior Thomas Watts, another member of the Hammer Authority. “I want everyone to remember we [Hammer Authority] were there for a good time, we were loud, we had fun, I want people to feel like they could let [out] some screams.”

Hammer member and senior Tommy Paulson reflected on his experience with Hammer in high school and the nostalgia he felt.

“All of us wanna have fun and just enjoy our time. It’s our last homecoming game. When it started 4 years ago, it was the tradition that Andover and Lahser had before this, and when it combined it just [became] a lot of fun.”

“There are so many students involved with making homecoming special for not only our current student body but for our supportive alumni community. Student Leadership, the band, Poms team, and cheerleaders play such an important role in helping to provide positive spirit for homecoming. I love being in the stands helping to promote school spirit any way I can,” said Allen.

For a video on Hammer Authority moving the crowd, click on the linked video.