On Friday, Nov. 8, Edmond Memorial High School held the annual Fall Sports Assembly, but it presented much more than sports-related information. That day, everyone wore red, white and blue in honor of Veteran’s Day. So, the assembly included respects for the upcoming Veteran’s Day, and celebrations of fall sports, and it revealed the 2025 Swine Week theme, ending with a speech given by the Swine Week recipient, The Comeback Kids Society.

To start off the assembly, the Bulldog Symphonic Orchestra played the national anthem. Immediately after Memorial’s classic assembly traditions ended, including the “Can You Dig It?” and the national anthem, the focus shifted over to this semester’s success regarding sports. 

The head cheer coach, Lauren Jardot, spoke to the students first. She talked highly of cheer’s season so far for the 2024-25 school year, announcing the team’s accomplishments and goals for its upcoming competition.

“We have an exciting performance that we’re about to show, and when we make it to state next Saturday, [Nov. 16)], at Moore High School, we’ll be competing [with this routine],” Jardot said. “We’re going to be one of those top 10…I need all of you to be in the stands because crowd leading is a huge portion of our score. We need your help, so, please come and support us next Saturday at Moore High School.”

Athletic director Kyle Roberts spoke next about the varsity football team and what it has accomplished amidst its best season in several years. Roberts’ speech motivated many EMHS students at the assembly, earning loud applause in approval. 

Memorial’s head principal, Keith Pautler, then spoke to represent the EMHS esports teams in place of the esports coach, David Milligan, who was not able to attend. The esports teams have achieved many things so far in their current standing in competitions.

“They’ve all qualified for the Regional Championship playoffs across every game category,” Pautler said. “They have also qualified for the championship tournaments in Oklahoma in every category…our Memorial esports teams are bound to be busy winning.”

Pautler also proceeded to speak about the EMHS band, noting how far they have gone to extend their reach in competitions. The Bulldog band traveled out-of-state for the first time in approximately a decade.

“A couple of weekends ago, [our] band went to St. Louis and competed against 72 other bands from across the United States,” Pautler said. “They finished very, very, very well.”

Head football coach Justin Meredith spoke after Pautler, again recognizing the football team’s accomplishments and what the team hopes to achieve as they continue in their season.

“[We played against] Tulsa Union,” Meredith said. “Nobody…[thought we had] a chance to win that game. Nobody. But…our guys went down there, played their butts off, and we’ve just now finished the best regular season we’ve had since 2013…in two weeks we’re going to a playoff game. And when we do that…I’m going to need the best student section in the state of Oklahoma.”

After Meredith spoke, the volleyball team was addressed as the 2024 6A State Champions. Two juniors, Annie Hopkins and Loulufe Adedeji, were also introduced as being selected for the All-State Tournament Team and have committed to play at the University of Central Arkansas and Texas A&M University, respectively. The team also received the Distinguished Academic Achievement Award with a cumulative GPA of 3.9.

The softball team was brought out next, being specially recognized for their six straight state competition appearances and its winning title at district for the past three years. Many girls were also applauded by their coach for their commitment to the team.

Girls cross country was represented by head coach Ansen Covin, who communicated their achievements and advances from the previous season, including new school records. Boys cross country qualified for state for the 51st year in a row and were Academic State Champions. 

Following the presentation of the EMHS fall sports, Swine Week Chairs Ally Owen, Bodie Bickle and Karmen Wellington officially introduced the 2025 Swine Week Recipient, The Comeback Kids Society, as well as the Edmond Public Schools Common Thread, No Boundaries International. Kendal Torres, the founder and director of The Comeback Kids Society, spoke about how much EMHS is going to help their non-profit thrive, as well as benefit communities in Oklahoma.

The Swine Week Chairs and EMHS Student Council then proceeded to announce the 2025 Swine Week theme. This theme was previously voted upon by students, with the majority being declared “Suboar Heroes.”

Although this assembly was originally for fall sports, it included respect for Veteran’s Day and Swine Week announcements. All EMHS fall sports did well in their competitions, and the Swine Week Chairs and StuCo were proud to present the 2025 Swine Week recipient, the EPS Common Thread and Swine Week theme, bringing the assembly to a fulfilling close.

Contact Esther Wood at [email protected]