UNION CITY — Union City will celebrate Homecoming this week with school activities, the annual Homecoming football game, the Wall of Achievement ceremony, a parade and the Union City Alumni Association’s annual banquet.
The festivities begin with the presentation of the 2026 Homecoming Court. Six senior girls and six senior boys make up this year’s court, with each pair serving as escorts.
The queen candidates are Elliana Chapman, Reese Eastman, Paityn Miller, Marie Troyer, Danica Williamson and Alivia Zielinski. The king candidates are Ian Kinney, Hunter Michael, Evan Stull, Zakk Tomcho, Blake Turner and Joseph Zahner.
The candidates represent a variety of school activities and future plans. Chapman has been involved in student government, National Honor Society, athletics and cheerleading and plans to pursue a doctorate in occupational therapy. Eastman has participated in basketball cheerleading and National Honor Society and plans to attend college while exploring a career path.
Miller has been involved in Student Council, the Regional Choice Initiative, yearbook and play production and plans to earn a master’s degree in psychology. Troyer has participated in softball, volleyball, basketball cheerleading, Girls Varsity Club and National Honor Society and plans to become a trauma nurse.
Williamson has been involved in volleyball, softball, National Honor Society, Student Council and Girls Varsity Club. She plans to study neuroscience, attend medical school and pursue a career as a psychiatrist. Zielinski has participated in volleyball, softball, Girls Varsity Club and National Honor Society and plans to become an ultrasound technician.
The king candidates also have varied interests and plans. Kinney has participated in baseball, basketball, golf and U-Clan and plans to work for an electrical contractor in the Pittsburgh area. Michael has competed in football, wrestling and track and plans to enlist in the U.S. Marine Corps.
Stull has been involved with National Honor Society, Student Council and basketball. His plans include moving away and producing enough food to support his family. Tomcho has participated in marching band, wrestling, baseball, track and U-Clan and plans to pursue an engineering degree.
Turner has been involved in baseball, basketball, football, golf, Student Council and National Honor Society. He plans to attend college and study finance. Zahner has participated in golf, basketball, baseball, U-Clan, National Honor Society, Student Council and several school activities and plans to attend college, major in finance and continue playing golf.
Friday’s activities
Friday, Sept. 18, will include one of the major events of the Homecoming celebration when three Union City graduates are inducted into the Union City Wall of Achievement.
The 2026 inductees are Kathleen Henry, a 1964 graduate; Christa Margie Le Gallo, a 1994 graduate; and Todd Rose.
Henry is being recognized for her longtime involvement in the Union City community, including 25 years as a school bus driver and 17 years as a learning support aide at Union City Middle-High School. She has also been active at Parade Street United Methodist Church and continues to crochet hats for nonprofits serving people experiencing homelessness.
Le Gallo was involved in band, chorus, cross country, track and basketball while at Union City. She was valedictorian of the Class of 1994 before attending the University of Notre Dame. She has gone on to a career in health insurance underwriting and currently serves as executive director of pharmacy for Aetna/CVS.
Rose was a multi-sport athlete at Union City, competing in wrestling, cross country and track before continuing his running career at Edinboro University. He later became an educator and wrestling coach in California and has continued competing in distance running.
A public reception for the inductees will begin at 5 p.m. Friday in the Union City Middle-High School cafeteria. The free event will provide an opportunity to meet the inductees and their families, followed by comments from the honorees.
The three inductees will then be introduced at Bears Stadium at 6:20 p.m., ahead of the Homecoming football game.
Union City will host Saegertown at 7 p.m. Friday. UC Today Sports will provide video coverage at UCToday.org, with pregame coverage beginning at 6:50 p.m. Cody Rose and Travis Mitcham will handle the broadcast.
The 2026 Homecoming King and Queen will be crowned during halftime.
Saturday parade and banquet
Homecoming activities continue Saturday, Sept. 19, with the Union City Alumni Association’s 65th annual Homecoming Parade at 11 a.m.
This year’s parade theme is “America the Beautiful.” The parade is expected to include alumni groups, community organizations, businesses, schools, churches and other participants.
The Alumni Association will also host its annual Alumni Banquet at 6 p.m. Saturday.
As part of the Homecoming activities, the Alumni Association also held a window decorating contest for local businesses. French Creek Mercantile received first place and a $100 prize, while H&W Ace Hardware placed second and received $50. DaiSalon received an honorable mention.
Information about Homecoming and Alumni Association activities is available by emailing unioncitypa.alumni1@gmail.com.
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