By Reese Bentzinger

Northeast News Editorial Assistant

At Northeast High School’s homecoming, current students won’t be the only ones feeling the excitement.

That’s because this year it’s not just a homecoming; it’s also the 2018 Hall of Fame celebration. On October 5 and 6, events will be held that will be exciting for both current and alumni Vikings.

The weekend will celebrate some of the notable alumni that once strode through the halls of Northeast High. There will be five inductees into the school’s Hall of Fame, including Waunita Small, a coach who worked tirelessly to get girls athletics included at the school. She’s not the only coach to be included, as synchronized swimming coach Marylyn Diester will also be honored. Another champion of girls athletics, Dorores James Faherty (the first female cheerleader at Northeast), will be entering the hall of fame as well. Track runners Elise and Suzanne Jones will be inducted along with the 1954-55 boys basketball team for their contributions to athletics at Northeast High School.

“Northeast has a lot of history,” stated Dr. Jim Sanders, Activities Director for Kansas City Public Schools (KCPS).

The festivities will begin with a meet and greet with the Hall of Famers in the Northeast High School Gymnasium from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. on Friday, October 5. This will be accompanied by a tailgate party from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m.

The fun continues on Saturday, with the 2018 Viking Hall of Fame induction ceremony taking place at the Markey-Peters Field House from 10 to 11:30 a.m. The weekend will end with a classic homecoming football game between the Northeast Vikings and the East High School Bears, starting 7 p.m. During halftime, the cheerleaders will perform and the Homecoming King and Queen will be crowned. Tickets for this event will cost $5 for adults, $3 for students, and is free for those 65 and older.

Be sure to celebrate with the Vikings this weekend this homecoming weekend.