Norwin Homecoming Week 2025: A Celebration of Tradition and Community
Homecoming Week 2025 was filled with excitement, tradition, and community spirit as Norwin students, families, alumni, and staff came together to celebrate.
The festivities began with the Norwin Athletic Hall of Fame Banquet on Thursday, October 2 at Live Casino, where the Class of 2025 was honored. The Norwin Hall of Fame, established in 2009, honors athletes, teams, coaches, and contributors whose dedication, sacrifice, and character have brought distinction to Norwin and pride to the community; inductees are celebrated in a permanent display outside the high school’ s main gymnasium. Inductees for 2025 included Chris Mitchell, Shelby Haitz, Jason Jasko, Timothy McCabe, Sarah Morrison, Kurtis Phipps, J. Randal Rovesti, Jack Salopek, and Kylie Veverka, along with the 1999 Norwin Football Team. The event was a proud celebration of athletic excellence and a reminder of the lasting legacy of Norwin sports.
On Friday, the celebration continued with the Homecoming Carnival, hosted by the Norwin High School Student Council. Before kickoff, families and students enjoyed raffle baskets donated by local businesses,
food vendors, and games. Wristband purchases included unlimited games with guaranteed prizes and face painting, making the carnival a fun pre-game tradition. That evening, the attention turned to the football field, where fans cheered on the Knights under the lights.
Saturday morning brought the annual Homecoming Parade in downtown Irwin. Student groups, athletic teams, and the Norwin High School Band marched proudly, entertaining the crowd and showcasing Norwin pride.
Throughout the week, the Norwin School District Community Foundation hosted its annual Days of Giving campaign. Running from September 29 through October 5, the campaign raises funds for Educator Innovation Grants, student scholarships, and other programs that directly benefit Norwin students.
Homecoming Week 2025 highlighted the tradition, community, and pride of the Norwin community. From honoring past athletic achievements to supporting future student opportunities, the week offered something meaningful for everyone.
Learning Beyond the Classroom: Norwin Students Travel Abroad
Royal Stew Crew Brings Students and Staff Together at Stewartsville orwin
NORWIN SCHOOL DISTRICT NEWS
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This summer, Norwin students broadened their horizons through two international educational trips. In June, eight Spanish 3 and 4 students, accompanied by Mr. Ryan Caldwell, traveled to Costa Rica to strengthen their Spanish skills and experience the“ Tico” culture. Guided by local expert Percy Piedra, they ziplined through the rainforest, went horseback riding, spotted exotic wildlife on a river cruise, and learned traditional Hispanic dances. Along the way, they discovered the Costa Rican values of friendship, relaxation, and a deep connection with nature.
In July, fourteen French 3 and 4 students, led by Mrs. Kelly Cole of Norwin High School and Mrs. Becky Shavel of Sunset Valley Elementary, embarked on a trip to France and Spain. They celebrated France’ s national holiday in Biarritz, danced flamenco in Barcelona, sampled local favorites such as paella, pintxos, pastries, and escargots, and compared architectural masterpieces from Gaudí’ s Sagrada Familia to the Eiffel Tower and the Palace of Versailles. With the help of their Barcelona-based guide, students practiced French, picked up Spanish phrases, and explored the similarities and differences between the two cultures.
Both trips gave students unforgettable adventures and lasting lessons on the value of language, culture, and seeing the world through new perspectives.
Stewartsville has kicked off the 2025 – 2026 school year with an exciting new initiative aimed at strengthening school culture and student connections: The Royal Stew Crew. This school-wide program places every student and staff member into one of five houses, each designed to foster teamwork, celebrate positive behavior, and create a strong sense of belonging.
The program officially began on August 28 with a Coronation Ceremony, where students learned their house assignments and began earning points for demonstrating leadership, kindness, and respect. The Royal Stew Crew is built around the concept of House Pods, which meet regularly to promote character development and build relationships across all grade levels.
Each month, students explore a new character trait, starting with Respect. These pods provide a safe and supportive space for students to connect with peers and staff, while developing skills in leadership, collaboration, and empathy.
The goal of this new initiative is to create a more inclusive and respectful school culture where every student feels seen, valued, and empowered to lead.