Homecoming Week transfixes transfer student
By Shiloh Lemke
Here at Amherst, Homecoming Week is one of the most anticipated and exciting times of the year for students and teachers. From the Friday night lights to the crowded dance floor, Amherst High radiates school spirit. Not only is there the customary football game and dance to look forward to, Homecoming here also includes fun class games, competitive sports, dress-up days, and school, as well as community bonding.
Senior Ava Hoerter said, “This Homecoming was memorable and also nostalgic for me because it was a reminder that my high school days were coming to an end.”
As a new student and a senior, the Homecoming experience here intrigued me in a variety of ways. It seemed as if the whole school gathered together to celebrate this event, and it was clear that staff and students put a lot of effort into making this week memorable.
To start the week off, a dodgeball tournament was held Monday morning during the assembly. All grades played against each other, and even against the teachers. On Tuesday, we had our assembly outside. This time, there was a relay race, which I participated in with my friend. The following day our assembly consisted of arguably one of the most aggressive games, musical chairs. It was very entertaining to watch people fight over chairs.
Sophomore Aubrey Noel said, “My favorite class game this year was musical chairs. I had a really great time at Homecoming, and it was good to have one last homecoming with my favorite Seniors.”
On Thursday, the assembly was a little different than the other ones. This assembly consisted of the anticipated Capture the Flag and Powder Puff tournaments. These games seemed to raise the crowd’s morale, creating a competitive atmosphere with loud cheering and silly student narrations. After the games, the assembly ended with an entertaining way of fundraising, with Splash a Senior. For money, you could buy a bucket filled with ice cold water and splash one of the Seniors lined up on the field.
By the time Friday had rolled around, everyone’s spirits were higher than ever. Friday consisted of an assembly and pep rally that took up the second half of the day. To start, the long-awaited Powderpuff tournament resumed, with the Seniors taking victory. Next, the band did an incredible job of serenading the bleachers with prideful melodies. After the musical performance, everyone headed into the gym to watch the Homecoming court play musical chairs. Then it was time for the cheer team to take the spotlight. The cheer team, along with the Senior boys from the football team, showed off their incredible coordination skills as their bodies synced to the pop song blasting through the gym. Following the performance, the school took time to recognize all fall sports and give honorable mentions to the Seniors and coaches. Finally, to end the school day, the Homecoming court was acknowledged as they walked with their partners across the gym floor, and the King and Queen were named.
Hours later, the most anticipated time came — it was time for kickoff. The Friday night lights illuminated the green field, and students were clustered together watching the game commence. The game was exciting and intense, with the Falcons taking their victory on their home field. The weary players lined up next to each other, their jerseys creating a prominent line of blue against the dark night as they celebrated their victory. For some students this night was more important to them, for it was their last Homecoming football game. As for others, their high-school experience had just started.
Freshman Anitza Lopez said, “My experience as a Freshman for HOCO was great. I had a ton of fun, and the game was great. Everyone was very energetic and nice.”
Finally, the weekend brought the celebratory Homecoming dance. The dance took place Saturday night, and the second you walked into the school, you were surrounded by a parade of red, white, and blue outfits. With the theme being “Party in the USA,” everyone dressed accordingly. The cafeteria was transformed from a basic lunchroom into a place of flashing lights, costumes, and socialization. The dance floor took place on the stage, which was sectioned off from the rest of the room with flowy curtains. Inside the curtains there was a vibrant scene, with strobe lights radiating different colors, blasting music, and a group of teens jumping together in a synchronized, yet carefree, order. If you needed to take a breath, or step away from the crowded scene, you could step out of the curtains to an open space where you could regroup and grab a drink of water.
Around the middle of the dance, everyone was called off the dance floor to recognize the Homecoming court. The court came up to the stage, addressed themselves, and highlighted the Homecoming queen and king. Then the selected group began their court dance. After a few minutes, students slowly started joining them behind the curtains. There wasn’t a phone in sight — just crowds of dancing teens and an atmosphere of adolescence in the air. Everyone seemed to have a good experience at the dance, and it was especially memorable for us upperclassmen.
Junior Violet Linder said, “My Homecoming dance experience as a Junior was a little strange because it feels closer to the end of high school. But at the same time, [I was] comparing [this one] to ones in the past and wishing it was as good as those and wishing it felt a little more special because it is closer to the end.”
In conclusion, I’d say this week was filled with many emotions, but overall it was a memorable and exciting experience for many. From the pudding-eating contest to the dance, this Homecoming resembled the spirit and pride people at Amherst have for their school.
As a new student from Montana, it felt like I was spectating this whole week through the eyes of a foreigner who was not fully accustomed to this new environment. It was interesting to see all the activities and events they coordinated just for fun and celebratory purposes. I noticed that Homecoming Week here is almost a part of the school’s culture and it seems to have been for a while. I valued the feeling of community and intimacy that this week brought, although I have to say that I did notice a certain theme throughout the week. There seemed to have been this invisible ladder of social hierarchy that was present throughout the week, and integrated into many of the activities, including the assembly games, the football game, the dance, and the Homecoming court. Although this is the reality and culture of high school and has been ever thus, it cannot cover up the amount of kindness and inclusivity with which this school has welcomed me. Amherst High is truly a charming school, with a supportive and enriching environment, as well as community.