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Top 5 Places to take Homecoming 📸

Cassi Paustian, Infographic Manager • September 20, 2023

As Homecoming is right around the corner there is always controversy about where groups should take pictures. Sometimes, it even rains, changing everyone’s plan five minutes before. Homecoming can be stressful, so here are the top places to take pictures for you and your friends this year!

1. Crow Valley Golf Course

A group of seniors at Crow Valley Country Club for prom pictures in May of 2023. (Brooke Schrauben)

Crow Valley Golf Course has many locations for you and your friends/dates. The golf course is a beautiful background to elevate your pictures, but also keep them simple. The course also has a lake, beautiful flowers and greenery, and modern brick to take pictures in front of!

2. Davenport Country Club (DCC)

Ellie Samec and David Gorsline in a Homecoming picture from September 2022 at Davenport Country Club (Ellie Samec)

Davenport Country Club is a very common place to take pictures, as well! Although it is open to only members this coming year, it has some secret spots such as the iconic clock tower. Also, the steps up to the clubhouse are decorated with beautiful flowers and shrubs! The stairs are great for group pictures, allowing many people to fit in one picture!

3. Trinity Hospital

Cassi Paustian and Ike Swanson behind Trinity Hospital for prom in May.
(Cassi Paustian)

A less commonly known place to take pictures is the garden behind Trinity Hospital. Although some people have found it, it’s not super busy! Here, there is a mini waterfall and pond. The hospital does a great job maintaining the area and making it look very professional. There are little paths and rocks to sit on with your date! Overall, this hidden location is amazing for beautiful outdoor pictures!

4. Vanderveer Park

Lauren Kathan and Skylar Tewkesbury at Vanderveer Park in Davenport, Iowa. (Skylar Tewkesbury)

Vanderveer Park is commonly known for the fountain and beautiful pathways surrounded by trees. The park also offers a bridge to take pictures on! Many group and couple pictures are taken here! This is a classic location that is both beautiful and simple!

5. Downtown Bettendorf By the River

Tyler and KC Nels alongside with family in downtown Bettendorf for Homecoming pictures near the river. (Tyler Nels)

If you are looking for a place where you can get pictures with others in the background, check down by the river! The Mississippi River runs along downtown Bettendorf and Davenport and has many beautiful locations! Whether its grass land, modern architecture, or the bridges, you always can find a good view!

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About the Contributors

Cassi Paustian, Infographic Manager

Cassi Paustian is a senior at Pleasant Valley High School. Cassi is this year’s infographic manager for the Spartan Shield. At PVHS, her favorite subjects are related to Math and Science. Cassi actively participates in Girls Wrestling for both Pleasant Valley and Young Guns Wrestling Club. Some of her favorite things outside of school are to hang out with friends and family, go kayaking, travel, workout, eat ice cream, and show cattle. Additionally, Cassi was this year’s 2023 Mississippi Valley Fair Queen. In the Fall of 2024, Cassi plans to attend Iowa State University to major in Biological Systems Engineering and minor in Economics. Cassi is very excited for her senior year and taking on the role of infographic manager!

Ellie Samec, Copy Editor

Ellie Samec is a senior at Pleasant Valley High School. Ellie is a writer and a Copy Editor for the Spartan Shield, and this is her first year participating in the journalism program at PV. She has played the violin in the PV orchestra since 7th grade and plans to continue at the college level. Ellie enjoys taking science classes such as Anatomy and Physiology and Bio-Med as she hopes to, one day, become a doctor. She loves the outdoors and participates in the Love Your Mother Environmental Club where she helps to grow and maintain a flower garden at the high school. Ellie is excited to be a part of the Spartan Shield and to learn about writing and reporting!

Tyler Nels, Overflow Editor

Tyler Nels is a senior at Pleasant Valley and is the Overflow Editor for the Spartan Shield. Tyler looks forward to studying biology in college, going into oncology, and eventually curing people of their cancer. He enjoys various sciences classes like Anatomy and Physiology, AP Physics 2, and Microbiology/Organic Chemistry. A Captain and Varsity member of the Cross Country team, running has become more of a lifestyle instead of just a sport. You can find him anywhere in the Quad Cities taking on a long run! Collector of running shoes and service hours, Tyler enjoys giving back time to his local community. Over the summer he organized a collection drive at The Belmont Mile that repurposed over 110 pairs of running shoes and raised $100+ for the Track Guy Organization. In addition to volunteering, Tyler enjoys playing golf, pickleball, spikeball, and other outdoor activities with his friends. Tyler is ecstatic to write for the Spartan Shield this school year!