By Allison Peck
Listen to the full interview on our Kubota Podcast
Homecoming week is bringing several opportunities for the North Platte community to celebrate and support local students.
The North Platte High School Booster Club will host the annual Homecoming Parade Wednesday at 7 p.m. in downtown North Platte.
North Platte Public Schools Foundation Executive Director Terri Burchell says the community is encouraged to come downtown and take part in the festivities.
“All the elementary schools are going to be there, all the different activities, put some floats together,” Burchell said.
The Foundation will award $250 for the top high school float and another $250 for the top elementary float.
The parade will begin with floats lining up near First Interstate Bank before traveling downtown and ending at the Pizza Ranch parking lot. NebraskaLand Bank will be grilling, and a stage will be set up for the crowning of the 2026 Homecoming royalty. Fireworks are also planned at the conclusion of the event.
The Bulldogs will then take the field Friday night for their Homecoming game against Lincoln Standing Bear. Kickoff is scheduled for 6 p.m., with North Platte entering the game with a 1-1 record.
The Class of 1981 will be in attendance as part of its reunion, and the North Platte Public Schools Foundation will make a special presentation following the national anthem and before kickoff. Burchell said the presentation will benefit Bulldog Productions.
Burchell also encouraged community members to attend school activities throughout the year, not just football games.
“Not every student has a lot of family here in town,” Burchell said. “And so when we show up as a community...makes a difference for the students as well.”
Change Wars will be the next major Foundation event, running September 29 through October 6.
Eight school buildings — Madison Middle School and the district's seven elementary schools — will compete to collect the most change. Seventy percent of the money raised will go back to the participating buildings.
The top three classes at the elementary schools will receive popcorn parties, while students at Madison will celebrate with breakfast pizza, donuts and donut holes.
Burchell said the funds can be used for a variety of projects. Examples include work on Madison's courtyard, books for the One Book, One School program and playground equipment purchased in partnership with PTOs.
The competition is also designed to teach students about philanthropy and giving back to their community.
“Every penny counts,” Burchell said.
People without children in the district can also participate. Beginning September 29, donations can be made through the North Platte Public Schools Foundation's website and directed toward a specific school, teacher or building.
Donations can also be made through First Interstate Bank, which handles the change counting during Change Wars. Donors should specify which school and teacher they want to support.
The winning school will receive an additional $400, while the eighth-place school will receive an additional $25, with additional prizes in between.
Change Wars will conclude October 6, but the celebration will take place October 9 before the Bulldogs face Omaha Northwest.
Elementary schools will be recognized on the field, with students and principals taking part in a tunnel led by cheerleaders before being recognized in front of the crowd.
A tailgate will also be held beginning at 5 p.m. in the North Platte High School parking lot. The Class of 1992 will roast a pig, with $5 pulled pork sandwiches, chips and a drink available. Proceeds from the tailgate will benefit the North Platte High School women's wrestling team.
For Burchell, events like these are about more than fundraising.
“I think it just sends a message to our teachers and to our students that they are supported, they are important and education, public schools are very important,” she said.
She also noted that alumni from across the country continue to support the Foundation and its work in North Platte schools.
The Foundation's goal, Burchell said, is to help bring the community together around students and education.