Homecoming 1981

The 1981 Leesville High School Homecoming embraced the theme “The Best Place to Be,” welcoming alumni, students, and community members back for a weekend filled with pride, tradition, and celebration. This year’s program captured the essence of what makes Leesville High such a special place: the people, the memories, and the unshakable spirit of the Wampus Cats.

The festivities began on Friday, October 23, 1981, with registration at 8:30 a.m. at the high school, where alumni signed in and greeted old friends. At 9:00 a.m., coffee provided a relaxed opportunity for conversation before the assembly at 10:00 a.m., which united current students with returning graduates in a lively celebration of school spirit. At 12:00 noon, the Holiday Inn hosted the Dutch Treat luncheon, where stories of the past mixed with laughter about the present. These early events set the stage for a day of pride and reconnection.

That afternoon, the community lined Third Street at 3:00 p.m. for the annual Homecoming Parade. Floats carried honored classes, the marching band filled the air with music, and the streets of Leesville radiated excitement as Wampus Cat pride was on full display. The highlight of the day arrived under the lights at 7:30 p.m., when the Wampus Cats faced Washington in the Homecoming football game. Alumni and students cheered together from the stands, embodying the passion and unity that defines Leesville High.

The celebration carried into Saturday, October 24, 1981, with a barbecue at 11:00 a.m. at Leesville City Park, offering a relaxed and family-friendly atmosphere. The weekend concluded with the Alumni Dance from 9:00 p.m. to 1:00 a.m. at the National Guard Armory, where music from the Harmon Drew Group kept the crowd on its feet. With laughter, dancing, and plenty of memories, the dance was the perfect finale to a weekend that truly lived up to its theme. The 1981 Homecoming was not just a gathering but a testament to the pride and legacy of Leesville High—proving once again that for alumni and students alike, it will always be “The Best Place to Be.”