Shelton’s 50th anniversary Homecoming on Sept. 26 turned into a show-stopping celebration when the skies lit up with a dazzling drone show capped by the reveal that Grammy Award-winning country group Little Big Town will headline Shelton’s Stampede Auction on April 11, 2026. The halftime celebration also announced that Shelton’s Varsity football team will play Covenant on Nov. 8, 2025, at The Star in Frisco, home of the Dallas Cowboys, as part of the school’s 50th anniversary festivities.
As the largest independent school for intelligent students with learning differences, Shelton marked its 50th year of transforming students’ lives with a celebration that reflected both school pride and community spirit. The evening began with a lively Shelton Parents’ Association tailgate on Charger Plaza featuring food trucks, BBQ by Shelton parent John Lynch, a dunk tank and bounce houses. Alumni gathered for a happy hour at La Hacienda Ranch before heading to campus for the big game.
Before kickoff, longtime Shelton leader Gary Webb was honored as the evening’s honorary captain in celebration of the school’s 50th anniversary. Webb has served as a Shelton board member since 1998 and as chairman of the board from 2010 to 2024. During his time as Board Chair, he was instrumental in leading the way for Shelton’s new campus. He was joined on the field by his family: son Adam Webb (Shelton Class of 2000) with wife Tiffany and granddaughter Birdie; daughter Samantha Wynne (Shelton Class of 2004) with husband Beau and grandchildren Caden and Presley; and daughter Malley Armstrong with husband TJ and grandchildren Ella and Amelia. Webb participated in the coin toss to officially open the game.
The Varsity Chargers football team, led by Head Coach Ed Barry, then took the field against Newman International Academy at 7 p.m., following a Middle School football game at 4:30 p.m. The Varsity team won 49-14, and the Middle School team earned a 33-6 victory.
At halftime, the Shelton Parents’ Association delivered a show unlike any other. The Shelton Drumline teed off the show with a drumroll before the skies above the scoreboard came alive with a choreographed drone show created by Antonio Liska of Robota. Images of Shelton’s blue and white, the Charger logo and the school’s 50th anniversary emblem lit up the night, all set to the music of Little Big Town.
The Chargerettes then took the field, each holding a letter to spell out the band’s name, as Nate Nelson of LeForce coordinated the lights and sound: Little Big Town will perform live at the Stampede Auction on April 11. Parents JoAnna Sudbeck and Mandy Evans, co-chairs of the Stampede Auction, and Shelton Director of Volunteer Relations & Events Shelly Lloyd helped coordinate the reveal.
“Once we were told we’d be announcing the entertainment at the Homecoming game, we knew we had to go big,” said Evans. “Shelton is known for thinking outside the box and embracing new technologies, so the drone show felt like the perfect way to surprise our Shelton families.”
Also announced at halftime was another milestone event for Shelton’s 50th celebrations. On Saturday, Nov. 8, Shelton’s Varsity football team will face Covenant at 4 p.m. at The Star in Frisco, home of the Dallas Cowboys. The game will also serve as Senior Night. More details on tailgating will be shared soon. Special thanks to the Dallas Cowboys and the Gene and Jerry Jones family for making this opportunity possible.
After the announcements, Shelton’s cheerleaders, Chargerettes and Drumline performed before the presentation of the Homecoming Court:
- Seniors: Heston Dios, Hudson Ramsey, Brock Rogers, Elinor David, Stevie Hickman, Effie Maguire
- Juniors: Tanner Smith, Kate White
- Sophomores: Joe Moody, Adelynn Andras
- Freshmen: DeShawn McClelland, Chace Smith
The Homecoming King and Queen are seniors Hudson Ramsey and Stevie Hickman.
Shelton Homecoming Week also featured Upper School dress-out days, two pep rallies, a ninth-grade Homecoming dinner and the Upper School Homecoming dance on Sept. 27. In addition, alumni planned to gather for the Sept. 27 Alumni Football Breakfast hosted by Coach Chuck Locke, former Middle School and Upper School football coach and Shelton’s former director of alumni relations.
Homecoming and the halftime show offered alumni and guests a glimpse of the spectacular year ahead, capturing Shelton’s spirit of community and 50th anniversary celebration that unites students, families, staff and alumni.
“Little Big Town built their success on four-part harmony, which felt like the perfect complement to Shelton’s four stars in our logo — the school, the Evaluation Center, the Outreach & Training programs and the Speech Center,” Evans said. “It’s such a meaningful connection.”
View Shelton Homecoming video at this link. For information about the Stampede auction, including sponsorship opportunities and ticket sales, go to this link. Information about Shelton’s 50th anniversary is at this link.