Homecoming is a very popular and well known high school tradition but where
and when did it start? The University of Missouri is the main founder of the annual
dance after the important football game however Minnesota vs. Wisconsin was the first
“homecoming” football game. At the first homecoming football game all of the students
dressed up in their nicest clothes “to drink and have fun before graduation into full
adulthood.” according to fhspirateer.
These college games didn’t have the dance that we consider homecoming now
but the spirit was there. Colleges now use homecoming games as a “home-coming” for
alumni to visit their old stomping grounds and see the changes made to the school. As
the get ready and dance went out of style for college homecomings it soon moved down
to high school and became a main tradition.
Speaking of going out of style, one thing that is constantly in and out of style is
the outfits. Some of the first homecoming dresses were long and poofy. Whether it’s got
tule or sparkles or ruffles every year brings a new trend and a whole new set of
homecoming dresses. Same thing goes for hairstyles, jewelry and even shoes. While
you are dressing up you’d think heels are the way to go and yet most girls now will wear
sneakers or flats instead.
High school uses homecoming to bring up spirit and to celebrate a big home
football game. Parades, spirit week, pep rallies, and even the dance are used to lead up
to big games to have students hype up their team. To keep students involved they
added homecoming kings and queens. Students vote for other students to represent
their class. While each school celebrates homecoming with different themes and
traditions all across the nation, homecoming week is something that unites all schools.
Spirit weeks started in California around 1952. It was used to welcome students
back and was originally called Friendship week. As time moved on its main goal of
welcoming students was changed to bring spirit and get students excited.
The way it’s celebrated, who celebrates it, and even the original meaning
changed but what all homecomings have in common was to bring students together to
celebrate what they share, their school.