This year’s Biloxi High School homecoming observance, celebrated Sept. 28-Oct. 3, took on a more reminiscent approach as students contemplated the idea that Biloxi Public Schools turns 150 years old in May.

One of the homecoming activities at the high school included a door-decorating contest for 5th period classes to show their school spirit. “There were a lot of really cool doors, but ours just showed I think a little more school spirit,” said Kristen Terrel, a student of Mrs. Sarah Langford’s 5th period Biology I Prep class, first-place winners of this year’s door-decorating contest.

The students of Mrs. Langford’s class decided to plan a timeline of Biloxi Public Schools history, focusing efforts on landmarks at the high school. Their main source of information came from Mr. Zan Skelton’s book “The History of Biloxi Public Schools – 1924 -2001.”

“The kids did all the work. All I did was cut out the letters for the door and bought them supplies,” Langford said. “They took the time to research it in the library and type up the facts they found, and cut them out to paste on the door. They had so many, we actually had to edit the door and remove some of the more irrelevant ones or we’d have run out of room.”

“I learned that the Biloxi Indians used to be the black and gold Yellow Jackets and that Biloxi Public Schools was the first school district in Mississippi to desegregate its classrooms,” commented Markesia Harness. Brandon Stuart said, “I learned that Fred Haise, the Apollo 13 guy, graduated from Biloxi High in the 50s”.

The door has been receiving a lot of traffic ranging from BHS administration to curious students admiring Biloxi High and Biloxi Public Schools’ history. Said Langford, “It’ll be a sad day when I take it down.”

Photo gallery: To see photos of the award-winning door and other images from homecoming, click here.