The Best Years Of Our Lives

Alpha Cepeda

Homecoming is based entirely on tradition. Not only just by high schools but also by colleges and universities. So if the disappointment of it being your senior year is hitting you, remember: it may not be your last year with the experience. Many people go through the motions of homecoming but few know it’s real purpose.

The tradition of homecoming has its origin in alumni football games held at colleges and universities dating back to the 19th century. The origins of the first homecoming celebration remains largely challenged. Although Baylor, Illinois and Missouri were at the forefront around 1910. Regardless of the disagreement over who initiated homecoming, even the earliest of these celebrations contained the same elements. Schools organize rallies, parades, speeches and dances, aiming to unite the student body and create a better sense of community, harmony, and school pride among each other.

Sports games or matches conveniently provide a big event for these other celebrations to revolve around. A dance typically follows the game or at least takes place the same weekend, unless of course, you live in Haverhill, Massachusetts, where it sometimes happens a week later.

Most high schools, colleges, and universities center the homecoming game around an easier team or opponent. The purpose being to hopefully avoid a defeat. It allows for the dance and other events to be centered around a win, a kind of celebration. Although in our case the student council and student government choice the date. They schedule it after two away games. Homecoming then takes place and we welcome home our players.

The enticement of being new in a school, and having new experiences would lead a lot of the attendance of these events to be underclassmen, such as freshman and sophomores, but the memories of years past do attract the juniors and seniors as well. How many times have we heard “these are the best years of your life, enjoy it”? It leads many of us to want to be at every school event possible.

Any bonfire, dance, and game. Which is truly the biggest tradition of all.