Mission Bulldogs enjoy triumphant homecoming
EMILY MESSER | Hagadone News Network | UPDATED 4 months, 1 week AGO
Milo Crooks runs onto the field with an American flag at the start of the homecoming game against the Plains Horseman. Crooks was crowned the homecoming king during halftime.(Emily Messer / Leader)
Mission's Homecoming Royalty includes Lex LaFrombois, Isis Riekena, Ryan Sharbono, Brooklyn McClure, James Durglo, Cora Matt (queen), Milo Crooks (king) and Maia Christopher. (Christa Umphrey photo)
The Bulldog mascot rides along on the class of 2026 float during the Mission homecoming parade. (Emily Messer / Leader)
Milo Crooks and Maya Christopher ride down Blaine Street on a purple mustang during the homecoming parade. Crooks was crowned the homecoming king during halftime.(Emily Messer / Leader)
The Mission Bulldog team rides on the St. Ignatius City fire truck in the homecoming parade. (Emily Messer / Leader)
Mission volleyball team rides on the St. Ignatius fire truck in the homecoming parade. (Emily Messer / Leader)
Emily Messer joined the Lake County Leader in July of 2025 after earning a B.A. degree in Journalism from the University of Montana. Emily grew up on a farm in the rolling hills of southeast Missouri and enjoys covering agriculture and conservation. She's lived in Montana since 2022 and honed her reporter craft with the UM J-School newspaper and internships with the RMEF Bugle Magazine and the Missoulian. At the Leader she covers the St. Ignatius Town Council, Polson City Commission and a variety of business, lifestyle and school news. Contact Emily Messer at [email protected] or 406.883.4343 | September 18, 2025 12:00 AM
With a parade, tailgate and a dominating game against Plains (54-12), homecoming in St. Ignatius was declared a success.
St. Ignatius Middle and High School Principal Shawn Hendrickson said it was an earlier homecoming than usual, which translated into good weather. Hendrickson explained that the senior class won all the class competitions throughout the week, including the best parade float, hay-bale decorating and best volleyball poster.
This gained them the Spirit Bone, an actual bone which the class will hold for the year. St. Ignatius School District also had a handful of dress-up days during the week, including twin day, dress as their favorite hobby, Bulldog Pride Day and bring anything but a backpack or water bottle.
“So basically, any alternative to carrying a backpack or a water bottle, like something you would drink out of or carry your books,” Hendrickson said. “We saw wheelbarrows, coffee pitchers, coolers, strollers, shopping carts – kids were super creative with that.”
Hendrickson said Friday’s parade had the best turnout he has seen in the 11 years he has been at the school. The football game also attracted the largest audience he’s seen at a game besides a playoffs or championship game.
In conjunction with Valley Banks, the school held a tailgate for alumni before the game kicked off. The game started by recognizing the lives lost on 9/11 and the local first responders.
The game kicked off at 7 p.m. with Mission controlling the game and bringing home another conference win. During half time Milo Crooks and Cora Matt were named homecoming king and queen.
The Lady Bulldogs also had a triumphant homecoming week, besting Thompson Falls Thursday in a five-game matchup.
Mission's Homecoming Royalty includes Lex LaFrombois, Isis Riekena, Ryan Sharbono, Brooklyn McClure, James Durglo, Cora Matt (queen), Milo Crooks (king) and Maia Christopher. (Christa Umphrey photo)
The Bulldog mascot rides along on the class of 2026 float during the Mission homecoming parade. (Emily Messer / Leader)
Milo Crooks and Maya Christopher ride down Blaine Street on a purple mustang during the homecoming parade. Crooks was crowned the homecoming king during halftime.(Emily Messer / Leader)
The Mission Bulldog team rides on the St. Ignatius City fire truck in the homecoming parade. (Emily Messer / Leader)
Mission volleyball team rides on the St. Ignatius fire truck in the homecoming parade. (Emily Messer / Leader)ARTICLES BY EMILY MESSER
Local Government Review Commissions move forward
In the June 2024 primary election, voters approved local citizen study commissions for St. Ignatius, Ronan and Polson governments, and after one year of public meetings, the commissions are all up to something different.
Bill containing funding for Mission sewer and police headed to president’s desk
The U.S. Senate passed a $12.2 million funding bill that included federal appropriations for both the town of St. Ignatius and the St. Ignatius Police Department, which was pushed by U.S. Senator Tim Sheehy.
Bill containing funding for Mission sewer and police headed to president’s desk
The U.S. Senate passed a bill that contains $12.2 million in funding for several Montana projects, including appropriations for both the town of St. Ignatius and the St. Ignatius Police Department.