“We’re gonna party like it’s 1999.”

This famous line by Prince is exactly what MCHS students at the 1999 Homecoming did. The MCHS small gym was completely transformed by the student council into the Tropical Paradise anyone could dream of for the 1999 Homecoming dance.

A grand week of events started off with the annual Homecoming pep assembly where a hula hoop competition, relay race, and the traditional tug-o-war took place between classes. It closed with “The Guru” throwing and kicking a Batavia Bulldog figure across the gymnasium.

There were also the class floats. The juniors’ float decorated with countless fish, streamers, and a hut was deemed the best by many.

It wouldn’t be Homecoming Week without the themed dress-up days which included Beach Bum Day, Hawaiian Day, Gilligan’s Island Day, Tacky Tourist Day, and closing with the infamous Orange and Black Day on Friday.

One event that has ceased to exist today was a sort of beauty contest of senior guys known as the “Mr. Indian Contest.”  Ladies voted senior Dave Ziebler as the best looking.

On Sept. 22, the Powderpuff game ensued with the seniors adding another win to their record with a score of 28-7. Over 800 people attended with the football team taking on the role of cheerleaders for the night.

The night of Sept. 24 the varsity football game against the Batavia Bulldogs commenced with Minooka winning 20-18 in the stressful final seconds of the game. They also paid tribute to their injured teammate Brian Marshall.

“I really enjoyed the Homecoming activities, but the battle of the bands and the bonfire were the best,” Sabrina Hansen, junior, said in the 1999-2000 yearbook.

At last, on Sept. 25, the illustrious Homecoming Dance took place in the small gym where 300 students attended and danced the night away to MC Hammer and 98 Degrees.

The night in MCHS’ Tropical Paradise concluded with Darren McMillin and Melissa Ukovich being crowned Homecoming King and Queen in a surprise reveal.