Homecoming. A tradition that started over one hundred years ago. Originally, it was a college tradition to rally behind the football team when they were playing a rival school. It was called homecoming because all the alumni were supposed to come back “home” to support the football team. The week before the game is filled with different festivities to hype up the students, and then after the big game, students celebrate with the Homecoming Dance. The tradition is still alive today, and it is relatively the same, but instead of college participation high schools have stolen the show. Here at U of D, homecoming was Saturday, October 5th, 7-10 pm following the Varsity Football game that Friday against division rival Divine Child. The week leading up to the dance is Spirit Week. Monday through Friday will have different themes for students to wear in school, in place of regular attire. This helps create a fun sense of build-up and raise school spirit for all the students. Overall, homecoming week is a fun, memory-filled package, culminating in the big football game and the extravagant homecoming dance.
Homecoming is every single year during the fall. This constant creates a loop for students from freshman to senior year, so, to keep things interesting, homecoming week changes each year. Some of these changes include the themes for Spirit Week. This year the themes are as follows:
Made in Michigan Monday, Tank Top Tuesday, Spirit Wear Wednesday, Throwback Thursday, and Class Color Friday; the academy is in green, freshmen in orange, sophomores in pink, juniors in yellow, and seniors in blue. Together on Friday during the school pep rally students will be organized by grade so the colors will be pronounced and bright. The other thing going on in the gym this year is HOMECOMING! This year’s homecoming will be held in the main gym because of the school’s new air conditioning system. Director of Student Activities Nick Hilden said, “I’m excited for it to be in the gym this year and I hope the students are too… …Curley Lobby will have the games, tables, and photo booth and the dance floor will be in the gym.” Now what readers have been waiting for, is this year’s theme for homecoming! A Night in Autumn! The gym will be covered in fall leaves and hay bales, and a vibrant array of oranges and reds will help give the aesthetic feel of Autumn. “The fall theme gives the dance a classier more mature feel,” Mr. Hilden thinks. Although he is the director of the festivities, it is largely run by the student senate. This elected group of five picked the themes for the spirit week and the dance theme. The senate is led by student President Pierre Jazrawi who said, “I really like the themes. Tank Top Tuesday is my favorite. I remember back in Freshman year everyone wore their tank tops and cut-offs and stayed in them until the game that night.” Homecoming is a night students remember. It defines the end of warm weather and solidifies that school has started for the students. This year will be classy; the week will be filled with fun and spirit, especially the game, and it will all be topped off with the dance.
The school’s making this legit. Proper apparel and etiquette are expected, and the rules are to be followed. Don’t let poor behavior dampen the fun. October 5th will be a wonderful evening of dancing, games, and good memories. The tradition has changed a bit but the core of it is still there. High schools have taken over but have strengthened the spirit behind it. So don’t miss out! Find that date, buy two tickets, and be at the school at 7 pm for an autumn night to remember.
