Homecoming in American high schools has roots dating back to the early 20th century, with the University of Missouri being credited with the first official Homecoming in 1911. Originally, it was a college event that centered around football games, alumni reunions, parades, and dances. Over the years, it spread to high schools, where the tradition took on its own form, with a focus on school spirit, student involvement, and community engagement.
How Homecoming Has Changed:
Early Years (1910s-1940s): Homecoming was primarily about football games and welcoming alumni. Parades with floats and pep rallies were common features.
1950s-1970s: The event expanded beyond football, with Homecoming courts and royalty becoming central. Competitions like float-building and skits became widespread.
1980s-Present: The focus broadened from alumni to include a school-wide celebration. Today, events span a full week of activities, dances, spirit days, and community outreach. In many schools, the inclusion of all students, diverse events, and increased creativity has modernized Homecoming.
5 Activities for High School Homecoming:
Float Parade: Classes or clubs build themed floats that are paraded before the Homecoming game.
Pep Rally Games: Introduce interactive competitions like tug-of-war, relay races, and teacher vs. student challenges.
Lip Sync Battle: Students or faculty teams compete in a lip sync competition, bringing music, dance, and humor to the festivities.
Hall Decorating Contest: Each class or grade is assigned a hallway to decorate based on a unified theme, judged for creativity.
Homecoming Carnival: Include booths with games, food, and entertainment either during lunch or as part of a pre-game celebration.
5 Dress-Up Days:
Throwback Thursday: Students dress in outfits representing different decades (e.g., 70s, 80s, 90s).
Character Day: Dress up as favorite TV, movie, or book characters.
School Colors Day: Everyone shows off their school pride by wearing school colors or spirit wear.
Twin Day: Students pair up with friends to dress identically, encouraging participation in groups.
Pajama Day: A comfortable and fun day where students come to school in their favorite PJs.
5 Unique Ideas for California Homecoming:
Surf’s Up Spirit Day: Celebrate California’s beach culture by incorporating surf-themed decor, activities, and dress-up themes.
Hollywood Red Carpet Event: Have a “Hollywood” night during the week where students dress like celebrities and walk a red carpet to a staged event.
Cultural Appreciation Night: Showcase the diversity of the student body through performances, food, and art displays representing different cultures.
Eco-Friendly Float Building: Encourage students to build floats using only recycled or sustainable materials, promoting environmental consciousness.
Silent Disco: For students who might prefer a quieter celebration, offer a silent disco, where everyone has headphones and dances to their own tunes.
Homecoming traditions have a unique way of uniting our communities, transcending generations and fostering school pride across towns and cities. Schools carry an unspoken responsibility to uphold these traditions, and it is the ASB Directors and activities leaders who make this celebration come alive, creating an impact that resonates far beyond just the student body.
Katherin McGillivary (AP Lead AUHSD, Area F) highlights how ASB Directors bring Homecoming to life as a community celebration, bridging connections among students, families, alumni, and residents. Their coordination of events like Homecoming has a ripple effect that reaches every corner of the community, making each Homecoming season an essential and celebrated tradition.
At Kennedy High School, in LaPalma (Sara Daddario, Area F), they have embraced innovative traditions like non-traditional Homecoming courts aligned with school values, such as “Saxons of Excellence” or “Rebels of Excellence.” They showcase various campus groups throughout the week, from jazz bands to color guards, and include vibrant elements like food trucks at dances, live bands, wishing walls, interactive photo backdrops, and alumni announcements from the game booth. The culinary program provides snacks for the dance, while the art and graphic design classes design posters and tickets, ensuring Homecoming is truly a campus-wide effort.
For Corissa Stobing (Area B) and Judy Zazvrskey (Area G Coordinator), Homecoming includes the involvement of elementary and middle school students, who join in the Pre-Game Parade, holding banners with their graduation year and wearing school colors. This provides younger students with a firsthand experience of high school excitement and fosters community involvement by drawing in families and faculty from all levels of education—a win-win for everyone involved.
Lena Nash (Santa Paula High School, Area D) brings her school’s traditions to life by incorporating themed class dances at assemblies, rallies, parades, and even halftime shows. Instead of building traditional floats, students choreograph dances aligned with themes like “Joe’s Met Gala,” inspired by various iconic Met Gala moments. These performances become a hallmark of school pride and create a lasting Homecoming legacy.
At Anaheim High School (Jackie Rodarte, Area F), Homecoming centers around tradition and nostalgia, with student clubs nominating candidates for Homecoming Court and alumni returning for the Friday night game. Alumni and students alike enjoy the vintage car showcase at halftime, with many of the vehicles belonging to former students and their families, adding an extra layer of history and connection to the event.
At Ripon High School (Jill Mortensen, Area A Coordinator), shares that Homecoming is more than just a celebration; it’s a cherished tradition that brings together students, staff, and the community for a night of fun, creativity, and school spirit. One of the highlights is the Night Rally Lip Sync Battle, where each class competes in a lively lip-sync performance. This event allows students to showcase their creativity, unity, and enthusiasm. In recent years, a new element has been added— a special Homecoming Court Dance featuring candidates and the grand marshal. This dance not only adds a touch of elegance to the night but also celebrates the dedication and spirit of those representing the school. Together, these events foster a strong sense of school pride and create unforgettable memories that students and the Ripon High community look forward to every year.
These Homecoming traditions remind us of the strength and spirit of our schools, uniting generations and showcasing the pride that each community holds for their schools. The dedication of activities directors and staff ensures that this cherished tradition not only thrives but continually evolves, honoring the past while celebrating the present.
These elements should help create a dynamic Homecoming week that combines tradition with fresh, modern ideas!