School Homecoming

Definition:  The first dance (semi formal) held at the beginning of every year. Is for every grade, not just underclassmen. Is also a dance for the previous graduating class to come back and dance again, hence the name "home coming", like "coming home". So it's a dance that is the first one for all the classes.

History: The first schools that had homecomings are Baylor, Illinois and Missouri, which was around the year 1910. Despite the debate of who first had created they had all the same characteristics such as the football game and dances, this was to help create more school pride and spirit. Furthermore it was wildly successful so it spreaded to other schools in the 1920’s and soon became an American Tradition.

Reason: Many high schools celebrate homecoming during football season, but some schools also celebrate during basketball season or even hockey or soccer. Some schools have more than one homecoming each year, taking place during different seasons for different sports. This annual American high school tradition oftentimes includes a parade, spirit days during the week at school, fun activities, competitions between grade levels and faculty along with spin-off athletic activities, such as powder puff football or volleyball games. A pep rally usually occurs on the day of the big homecoming game. This includes cheers for the team and music from the school band. The main team is featured, and sometimes the captains of the team or the coach speaks. A dance follows the homecoming game, and a homecoming queen and sometimes king are crowned either during this time or at halftime of the game. All of these encourage students and alumni to have school spirit and pride.

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