By NOAH WORTHAM | Managing Editor ALABASTER –
Drones danced about the night sky, forming Alabaster City Schools logos and showing a kicker score a field goal as families watched from the stands during ACS’ 2025 Homecoming celebration.
ACS held its annual Homecoming celebration on Wednesday, October 8, with a parade around the Thompson High School campus, followed by a performance from extracurricular groups from across the school system at the Community Pep Rally, which was capped off by a drone show.
“I think this was one of our best ever,” said Dorann Tanner, chief student services officer for ACS and the organizer of the Homecoming festivities. “Each year it’s a challenge because we want it to be bigger and better, and we want it to be a great show for our community and our students. We want this to really be a celebration of Alabaster City Schools and all of our accomplishments.”
This year’s Homecoming festivities featured the theme “A Generation of Champions” as the school system enthusiastically commemorated the start of the final school year of the first graduating class to have gone through Alabaster City Schools for all 13 years.
“This is a dream come true for our city,” Superintendent Dr. Wayne Vickers said. “Over 13 years ago, this city made a decision that we now understand the ‘Why.’ Because of the work that’s done with our school system, we’re now one of the top-ranked districts, not only in athletics, not only in the arts, but also in academics and I want to thank you, our community.”
The 2025 Homecoming Parade kicked off the celebration as each class at THS joined extracurricular groups across the school system on festive floats in a procession around the THS campus. Afterward, the Homecoming Community Pep Rally kicked off at Warrior Stadium at 6:45 p.m.
“This is an exciting time,” Assistant Superintendent and THS Principal Dr. Wesley Hester said. “Homecoming is always special.”
Before the pep rally officially started, Hester had the opportunity to announce the winners of the Homecoming parade. The following floats were announced as winners:
Most Creative Float – Thompson Middle School
Most Spirit – Meadow View Elementary School and Champions Craft Academy
Best Use of Theme – Creek View Elementary School
Best Class Float – Thompson High School freshmen
Best Overall Float – Thompson Intermediate School
“I want to thank all of our people who have worked so very hard to put this event together, from the parade to the pep rally, great job,” Hester said.
While all of the activities took place in one evening, work on the Homecoming celebration began as soon as the new school year started in August. ACS administration met with city leaders, the senior sponsor, as well as the fire department and police department to create an actionable plan for making the festivities a reality.
“We basically just come together and brainstorm about how we’re going to make this work,” Tanner said. “Everybody is always so gracious.”
To cap off this year’s celebrations, rather than hold a firework show, Tanner suggested the school system break new ground in Shelby County by hosting a drone show, which was a suggestion that Vickers supported. As a result, Thursday night’s Homecoming celebration concluded with a drone show that depicted the logo of every school, including the new ACS Champions Craft Academy, as well as other football-themed visuals.
“I’m so thankful for Alabaster City Schools, our Board of Education, our incredible Superintendent Dr. Vickers, our city leadership, our police department, fire trucks, everybody that gets involved and helps us make this a successful night.”
The following groups performed during the 2025 Homecoming Community Pep Rally:
Thompson High School Harmonettes
Thompson High School Marching Southern Sounds
ACS Spirit Squad
THS Drumline
TMS Dance Team
TMS Majorettes
THS Majorettes
TMS Cheer
THS Warriorettes
THS Cheer
Read more at: https://www.shelbycountyreporter.com/2025/10/13/generation-of-champions-alabaster-city-schools-celebrates-homecoming/