Homecoming
Encyclopedia : H : HO : HOM : Homecoming
- For other uses, see Homecoming (disambiguation)}}}.
Homecoming is an annual tradition observed by many North American towns, high schools and colleges, usually in late September or October. Its purpose is to welcome back former residents and alumni, and is built around a central event, such as a banquet, football game, basketball game, or a ice hockey game.
When celebrated by schools, the activities vary widely. However, they usually consist of a football game played on the school's home football field, activities for students and alumni, a parade featuring the school's marching band, and the coronation of a Homecoming Queen (and at many schools, a Homecoming King).
Background
Towns in the United States have held annual homecoming events to welcome back former residents since the 19th century. At the beginning of the 20th century universities started to create their own homecoming events to gather the alumni for reunion, celebration and convincing them to support their alma mater. Since they began, university homecomings have been centered around some sort of large game event, intended to serve as a magnet for the alumni. However not all alumni will return to the event.The University of Illinois started the tradition of Homecoming in 1910. On October 15, 1910, the Illinois football team defeated the University of Chicago Maroons with a score of 3-0. The game is notable in that it was the focal point of the first ever organized homecoming weekend.
http://www.admin.uiuc.edu/homecoming/history.pdf
The big game
The annual football game is usually regarded as one of the biggest games of the year for the school, and is often against a traditional rival. However, some schools schedule an opponent perceived to be less-competitive and seen as an easy win, and thus avoid the risk of losing at homecoming to a rival.In addition to the game, the Homecoming Court is introduced (along with the Queen and King, if they have been crowned at a previous event) and the marching band performs. Special programs and buttons are often on sale throughout the week at area businesses and from students, while local newspapers feature stories and advertisements to build interest.
The school's alumni traditionally return to the school for the game and other related activities. Frequently, a high school or college class observing a significant anniversary since graduation (e.g., 25 years) will host a reunion during this weekend.
Homecoming Queen and King
The Homecoming Court usually consists of seniors. In high school, 17- or 18-year-old students in their final year are represented; in college, students who are completing their final year of study, usually between 21- and 23-years-old.Classmates traditionally nominate students who have gone above and beyond the call of duty to contribute to their school. Other times, students vote for the most attractive girl to be the queen. Once the Homecoming Court candidates are announced, the entire student body votes for the Queen and King (by secret ballot).
Local rules determine when the Homecoming Queen and King are crowned. Sometimes, the big announcement comes at a pep rally or school assembly one or more days before the game. Other schools crown their royalty at the Homecoming football game or dance.
Often, the previous year's Queen and King are invited back to crown their successors. If they are absent for whatever reason, someone else – usually, another previous Queen or King, a popular teacher, or other designated person – will perform those duties. Usually, the Queen is crowned first, followed by the King (for schools that have both kings and queens). The crowning method also varies by school.
Homecoming court members who are not crowned king or queen are often called escorts. They are often expected to participate in the week's activities as well. At some schools, a Homecoming Prince/Princess, Duke/Duchess etc. are crowned along with the King and Queen; usually, these are underclassmen who have been nominated by their classmates.
Other traditions
Parade
Many Homecoming celebrations include a parade. The parade includes the school's marching band and different school organizations created by the classes and school organizations. In addition, the Homecoming Court takes part in the parade. The parade is often part of a series of activities scheduled for that specific day, which can also include a pep rally, bonfire and other activities for students and alumni.Dress-up days
Throughout the week, schools (particularly high schools) engage in special dress-up days, where students are allowed to wear clothing suitable to the theme (e.g., toga day, nerd day). Students traditionally wear clothing with their school's name, or clothing and makeup of their school's colors on Friday.At many high schools, especially in the southern United States, homecoming dates exchange "mums" on Homecoming Friday, to wear to the game and the dance. These are very elaborate corsages (for the girls) or garters (for the boys, worn on the arm) that consist of a large flower (usually a chrysanthemum) surrounded by a ribbon ruffle. Long ribbons, decorations and trinkets are hung from the mum which indicate the students' date of birth, name, class, interests, and messages towards other people.
Rallies
Many schools hold a rally during Homecoming week, often one or more nights before the game. The events vary, but may include skits, games, introduction of the homecoming court (and coronation of the King and Queen if that is the school's tradition), and comments from the football players and/or coach about the upcoming game.At some schools, the Homecoming rally ends with a bonfire (in which old wood structures, the rival school's memorabilia and other items) are burned in a controlled fire.
Homecoming dance
The Homecoming Dance – usually the culminating event of the week – is a formal or semiformal event, either at the school or an off-campus location. The venue is decorated, and either a disc jockey or band is hired to play music. In many ways, it is a fall prom.The Queen and King traditionally have at least one slow dance together, after which they are free to dance with their dates and/or friends. Chaperones and/or police are usually at the scene to aid school officials.
Sometimes, the school's alumni will gather at another off-campus location to socialize or partake in other scheduled activities as their culminating activity.
At many schools it is a custom to ask your date to homecoming out in a "big way" (e.g., over the morning announcements or bursting into a classroom with flowers during class).
Smaller school homecomings
While most schools schedule their Homecoming activities around football, smaller schools that do not field a football team plan the annual event at another time of the year. In these instances, basketball or ice hockey serves as the "big game" for students and alumni. Often in smaller towns with smaller populations, the parade is often omitted.At schools without athletic programs, the centerpiece event is usually a banquet, where alumni are recognized. This format is also used for alumni events of high schools that have either closed or consolidated with other high schools; the high school classes continue to meet and celebrate their years at their now-defunct alma mater.
To continue or not?
In recent years, many schools have debated whether to continue Homecoming and related traditions. For example, some people allege the tradition of crowning a Queen and King is little more than a popularity contest and shuns less-popular students. Others point out that the voting for a Queen is little more than a school-wide beauty contest.Some communities have been forced to deal with pranks with unintended consequences, large-scale vandalism, underage drinking and other criminal activities during Homecoming. In some well-publicized instances, school administrators have followed through with threats to cancel the event and only reinstate it after a series of administrator-led meetings.
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