Homecoming; a yearly celebration among high school students across the United States always manages to invoke a feeling of excitement among the young. This year, Palatine High school hosted its yearly homecoming, putting yet another in the history books.
The pre-homecoming football game against Evanston High school was an absolute win, kicking off the dance! But what is Homecoming, and why do high schools host the dance every year?
For starters, Homecoming was originally invented in 1910, meaning it was created 114 years ago! As stated by Dailyillini.com, two seniors by the names of Walter Elmer and Clarence Foss “Dab” Williams sat discussing their upcoming graduation, thinking of a way to pitch to the University YMCA, where they went to school, a way to honor alumni.
Previously, “alumni were invited back to the University during the week of graduation commencement” and there was no big celebration. However, both Elmer and Williams wanted to change this by making something new, a celebration that wasn’t just a quick day of getting together and forgetting it weeks later. They wanted to create something so much more, and thus the idea was brought to the Universities panel for approval, leading it to be finally agreed upon on April 12, 1910.
Continuing by Dailyillini.com, as soon as word got out regarding the new idea, “various committees and organizations immediately came together to begin preparation for Illinois first Homecoming” (dailyillini.com). Soon, the entire campus was filled with orange and blue themed decorations, and a new excitement flowed throughout the community.
As many may know, Palatine High School kicked off the homecoming celebration this year with a football game against Evanston High School. Similarly back in the day, University YMCA hosted their own football game in 1910 against their (then) rivals, University of Chicago. Luckily just like us this year, the Illini defeated Chicago with a score 3-0!
Nevertheless, another key event that goes with Homecoming other than the football games is something called the Homecoming court.
As stated by Dailyillini.com “One of the largest traditions is the Homecoming Court, which also dates back to the first Homecoming. The court consists of 20 student leaders in senior standing who are selected based on their outstanding academic achievements, their leadership on campus and their community involvement.”
Similarly, Palatine High school held the Homecoming assembly on Friday, featuring senior leaders for the 2024 school year (which were more than 20, though). From a sophomore perspective such as mine it was thrilling to recognize all my senior friends, each one of them having their name presented one by one and saying in my head, “Oh I know her!” and “I know him too!”
I truly believe that the significance of the Homecoming Court is to bring light to the good individuals in our school and have them be recognized for their contributions. Plus, I find it as a motivation to do better, not just in school but for the general community knowing I can make a change just like they have.
So, now you know that Homecoming isn’t just some yearly tradition of a dance, but an exciting time for alumni, students, staff, and the whole community to come together to celebrate school spirit and the commencing of the new school year!
