For the majority of North students, Homecoming week is something to look forward to each year. From getting decked out in blue, black and silver for the annual Homecoming football game to bonding with sports teams and club members through window painting downtown, Homecoming week is full of activities that create long-lasting memories of our high school years.
However, when I first saw the calendar for this school year and realized that Homecoming is two weeks earlier than last year, I was a bit unsure. Two weeks may not seem like a big difference, but the consequences of having Homecoming even a tad bit earlier in the year may have an impact on the memories we are making.
The main reason high schools such as North have Homecoming in the first place is the sense of school spirit it fosters within the community. Teachers and students participate in spirit days and after-school activities to establish a sense of belonging throughout the school. However, it can be hard to experience this belonging when you have not had enough time to get to know people. Many of the activities during Homecoming week, including window painting, golf cart decorating and walking in the parade, revolve around you being part of a club or sport. Less than a month into the school year, activities are only just beginning. For freshmen especially, it can be challenging to join a club so early in the school year, and even then you do not automatically feel like a part of it. The earlier Homecoming is in the school year, the harder it is for freshmen to participate and feel the sense of belonging that the week aims to create.
Furthermore, it can be challenging to create Homecoming plans with friends right away. We are still adjusting to being back at school when suddenly another box is added to our to-do list. Homecoming did not cross my mind over the summer, but as soon as school started, it became a pressing topic that needed to be addressed. Students generally attend the Homecoming dance with friends or dates, taking pictures and going out to eat beforehand. However, with little time for new students to form friend groups and prepare for Homecoming, plans are hastily thrown together and some students do not attend the dance at all.
Another important aspect of Homecoming that tends to have more of an effect on girls is deciding what to wear. Finding the perfect Homecoming dress is hard enough as it is, but having Homecoming earlier in the year puts a lot of pressure on us to find one sooner rather than later. This leads many girls to purchase their dresses last minute, their options limited based on what sizes are available and what will ship in time.
Despite the struggles that come with having Homecoming earlier in the year, North is not able to just decide on a later date and be done. Planning Homecoming is actually a lot more complicated than it seems. North has to work around multiple different schedules and restrictions to determine when Homecoming will take place.
“We have to meet with East and also discuss our athletic schedules. We cannot do it on a cross-town game. We cannot do it during Scarecrow Fest,” said student council adviser Erin Manheim. “We prefer that it’s not the first week of school, so that usually only leaves one or two dates remaining for home games.”
North and East try to switch off who has Homecoming earlier versus later each year, though this is not always possible depending on the football schedule. North also has to deal with getting permits from the city to shut down downtown St. Charles for the Homecoming parade, as well as make sure local businesses will allow us to paint their windows.
Opinions on when Homecoming should take place vary. From a student council perspective, it is much easier to have Homecoming later in the year due to all the work required to plan and administer Homecoming week. On the other hand, some teachers prefer to have Homecoming earlier in the year.
“From a teaching perspective, it’s nice to have it early because [the students] get excited. [They are] definitely engaged in school,” said Manheim. “Then, we can focus and settle into learning.”
Though having Homecoming earlier in the fall presents many challenges, especially regarding underclassmen and what it takes for them to feel like a part of our school community, the date is not something we have much control over. Regardless of when Homecoming takes place, it remains a week filled to the brim with community-bonding activities, promoting a sense of belonging and unity within North that cannot be matched at any other time of the year.
