AN UNCONVENTIONAL HOMECOMING: CHS students celebrate Homecoming in different ways

On Oct. 1, instead of going to the dance, junior Kendall Fahey plans to celebrate Homecoming with a few of her closest friends.

“This year, we are (celebrating Homecoming by) having a color war with powdered paint, like at the Color Run. I’m looking forward to just spending time with all my friends because I don’t always see them around school,” Fahey said.  

According to Fahey, Homecoming week is a time to celebrate being a Greyhound and also a time to showcase the student’s expression and creativity.

Fahey said, “It’s a time for me to really celebrate what it means to be a Greyhound and what it means to be student at CHS. I think it’s really cool how passionate everyone can get. (I also like) the competitions during spirit week to see who is the most spirited because it brings out the creative side of people.”

Like Fahey, junior Min Hua Li believes that the dance is more geared towards the freshmen and sophomores. Li will also be celebrating Homecoming outside of school with her friends by going out for dinner.

“A lot of (Homecoming) is geared towards the Freshman Class because if you remember during freshman year, we had the face painting and the games which are all in the Freshman Center. I don’t really see any activities in the rest of the school other than the Drumline playing in the commons. I think we need more activities for the rest of the school because I feel that the older you are, you don’t care about Homecoming as much.”

Despite the dance being more tailored towards the underclassmen, Fahey believes that the rest of the events are inclusive towards the rest of the students.

Fahey said, “I definitely think that part of (Homecoming) is also for the upperclassman, like if you don’t want to go to the dance, then there’s always the option of going to the (football) game.”

However, Marcy Prati, CHS PTO Homecoming Dance Committee and CHS Alumna, feels that the dance is for every student to come together and celebrate school pride and spirit.

Prati said, via email, “The Homecoming Dance is for everyone at CHS. I can’t really speak for what other students are doing or why they choose not to go to the dance, however, I heard from many parents whose child attended the dance and they were all saying how much fun their child had at the Homecoming Dance.”

Monica Cronin, member on Homecoming Planning Committee, agrees with Prati in that Homecoming is for everyone at CHS, not just the underclassman.

“Growing up, I remember Homecoming being a very special time for my school to celebrate and show their pride in their team and entire school community. I realize that the older kids may not have the same interests as the younger ones, however, I do believe the dance appeals to all ages. If it feels tailored to just the Freshman Class, that is certainly not the intention of the committee. For one night it would be great to see everyone coming together as a school. It’s just one night!” said Cronin.

Despite not going to the dance, and instead just attending the Homecoming football game and celebrating with a small group of friends afterward, Fahey is still just as excited about the event this year as she was a freshman.

Fahey said, “I think I’m definitely more passionate about it now that I’m a junior because when it was first Homecoming in freshman year, no one really knew how to dress up, but as I continued on in CHS, I now know that it’s okay to go full out. I also think that I’m more excited about Homecoming as an upperclassman because of all the activities.”