Grand Rapids High School Named Homecoming Royalty
Grady Giffen and Maddi Ekstedt were crowned as homecoming king and queen following a successful Spirit Week.
Updated on Oct. 14, 2026 in Secondary Education
Grand Rapids High School recently celebrated its homecoming festivities, featuring a week of student activities and a significant football victory. The events concluded with the announcement of Grady Giffen and Maddi Ekstedt as the newly crowned homecoming king and queen.
Why it matters
Homecoming events build community spirit and support school pride within the local student body. The annual tradition provides a way for families to engage with the school calendar and support student athletics.
The homecoming court featured 12 student candidates during the selection process. The festivities were highlighted by a 49-14 football victory for the Grand Rapids High School team.
The players
Grady Giffen
A student at Grand Rapids High School who was named the school's homecoming king.
Maddi Ekstedt
A student at Grand Rapids High School who was named the school's homecoming queen.
Grand Rapids High School
The local secondary educational institution that coordinates student activities and athletics for the community.
The details
Students participated in a variety of Spirit Week themes, ranging from 1980s-inspired outfits to wearing specific class colors. The selection of the king and queen followed this week-long series of events, which served as lead-up activities to the homecoming game against North Branch. The crowning occurred on the same night the football team secured their win.
Timeline
October 5 to October 9, 2026: Spirit Week activities occurred.
October 9, 2026: The homecoming winners were announced during the football game.
October 24, 2026: The official homecoming dance is scheduled from 8:30 to 11:30 p.m.
The Home Front
These festivities follow the long-standing tradition of integrating athletic competition with local school spirit events. This pattern aligns with regional secondary education norms that prioritize community-wide engagement during the fall academic term.
Families with students attending the upcoming dance should confirm transportation arrangements for the October 24 event. Keep school-issued calendars accessible to track any remaining homecoming week logistics or schedule updates.
The takeaway
The homecoming process is a significant social milestone that brings the community together through student leadership. Families can support the school by staying updated on future extracurricular events and participating in local spirit initiatives.
What happens next
The Grand Rapids High School homecoming dance is scheduled to take place on October 24, 2026, from 8:30 to 11:30 p.m.
Further reading
Learn more about local academic and extracurricular programs at the Secondary Education page.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Grand Rapids Herald-Review.
