Homecoming weekend always follows a week of chaos as the high school students prepare for their planned festivities. The hair, the nails, the fake tan, or if you’re a guy, you just observe from afar. The stress of making sure you bought your ticket and the nerves that surround the idea of asking for a date. It’s a week that goes by in a flash but one that is remembered by most. Then before you know it, you have made it to the end of the week. That very special Friday evening, The Homecoming game. Students everywhere rushing to party city or Walmart after school to make sure they have their perfect football game outfit. The outfit is crucial for the arrival. The anticipation of finding out who the queen is, runs through everyone’s veins as if its the only thing keeping them alive. Then of course after the pictures are taken and the outfits are seen, everyone’s attention goes to the actual football game itself. You can hear the cheers and roars from the student section as they support their team and shout praises. This feeling of unity is fueled by excitement. But as the game comes to a close and you’re either walking out sorrowful or jumping of elation, your attention completely shifts. You’ve just remembered that you have the dance tomorrow and suddenly the game you just screamed and shouted for, has now become a distant memory.

High School Homecoming is a tradition that dates back to 1911 after it had become popular at colleges and universities. In short, it’s a yearly celebration that combines school spirit, sports, and social activities to welcome back alumni and celebrate the school community. Its roots go back to early 20th century collegiate events, where universities sought to engage alumni by inviting them to return for a major sporting event—football. The University of Missouri is widely credited with organizing the first official homecoming in 1911, but several other schools also claim to have initiated similar events around that time. As the tradition grew, high schools across the country adopted it, making it a widespread annual celebration.

   But what does homecoming truly mean to people? For some it’s the excitement of finding a date, for others its the thrill of the football game, or maybe its the fulfillment of getting to dress up and enjoy a night with your friends. It means different things to everyone and not everybody gets the same thing out of it. However if you look deeper, you see how Homecoming is actually interconnected to achievements and successes, especially if you’re a senior. For the seniors, this game marks their final chance to cheer on their beloved high school team. These graduates take pride in their school and want to see it succeed.

     The football team has the weight of the win on their backs and wants to impress the visiting alumni. The cheerleaders have been planning their routines for weeks, months, and have been putting in countless hours of work to make sure it’s perfect. The band is the voice of both the crowd and the field as their anthems of harmony bring the atmosphere together. The nominated women take the field during halftime are living out their toddler dreams of getting crowned queen or princess. Each of these reflect feelings of accomplishment and Homecoming is a night to celebrate this. The hard work and effort that went into this moment are being recognized. They are being displayed to parents, students and faculty. 

  So ultimately homecoming is more than just exhilaration filled disarray and the anticipation of what’s to come, but its a chance at unity to honor and commemorate those who are returning givers to the school and those whose departure is approaching. It salutes the deeds of both past students and current students and at its core, is a tradition of attainment, fulfillment, and school spirit.