Troy High’s homecoming week will include a new prize beginning Monday. An elk antler carved by local artist Scott Sorenson will serve as the school’s spirit stick. Each student class will vie for the stick while competing in events during the week.

Zoe Lowry, student body president, came up with the idea of an elk antler totem.

“We’ve never had one before,” Lowry said. “Last year we had an IOU written on a piece of paper, so I took it into my hands to think of something cool. We all hunt, we all fish here, it is part of who we are. And we have seen elk outside of the school before, so I thought that would be representative of the school.”

Lowry requested that Sorenson, a family friend, craft the work. She gave him a few suggestions, and said she was more than satisfied with the result.

“To me, it was no big deal,” Sorenson said. “I was really thrilled that the kids would ask me. There are so many good artists in this area. It is a nice honor.”

Lowry provided an elk antler when the request was made. Sorenson and his wife, Jan, were appreciative of the antler, but thought they could do better. The couple collects antlers and Jan donated one of her premium racks.

“I spent a few days on it,” Scott Sorenson said. “She said they wanted something a little different. I was more than happy to do something for the school.”

The antler is decorated with intricate carvings of a helmeted Trojan, a nature scene of an elk, the words Troy High School, the initials THS and a trout. The back of the antler reads, “Trojan Spirit.”

Troy Superintendant Jacob Francom said most high schools have a spirit stick. While most hold only emblematic value, Francom said he was proud his school boasts a bonafide work of art.

“He did an amazing job and the kids are very excited about vying for it during our homecoming and spirit weeks,” Francom said. “It is a great motivation and means a lot more since we have such a cool spirit stick and it is proudly displayed in the high school hallway.”

Francom said the senior class was so swayed by the power of the stick that they vowed dominance during next week’s events. Each day classes will earn points based on their participation and performance in events like dodgeball, dress up day, relay races and float decorations. There will also be a parade at 4 p.m. Friday before the 7 p.m. football game against Eureka.

“This just makes homecoming bigger and better,” Lowry said.