CFNN Reporter Karina Phair

As Homecoming week rolls in here at Cape Fear, I began to wonder what started this week of festivities and crazy outfits. Well, here are the where’s, who’s, how’s, when’s, and why’s of Homecoming!

According to the Hall of Fame Plaques, Homecoming is an annual fall tradition for high schools and colleges. In the early 1900’s, the University of Missouri had the first traditional one on the school’s grounds. The original purpose of the event was to bring excitement for the upcoming football season and keep their rivalries alive, as well as pumping up the school spirit for the new year. The themes of the events are usually the school’s colors but spirit week can be any theme of choice. 

According to the Mizzou Alumni Association, Chester L. Brewer, The University of Missouri’s Director of Athletics had the idea to welcome back their alumni with festivities. This included spirit week, a dance, a huge bonfire, a pep rally, and a parade. The spectacular scene attracted a crowd of 9,000+ people from all across the area. Soon after, the Homecoming tradition was introduced to high schools all around the United States. It had been granted the name “Homecoming” as this was their player’s “first call to home.” Some students say that Homecoming is essential to the high school experience.

“It’s everything you ever see in pop culture in high school in one night,” declared John Adams, The Class President at Arcata High School. “One special night, for some.” According to HPSH Plaid Line, the Influenza virus pandemic, also known as the Spanish Flu, scaled down Homecoming to a major degree and the whole event had to be “re-invented.” Approximately 2 years later, schools started to open up again and students began trickling in.

Each school began to adopt their own Homecoming Traditions as they established new grounds after the pandemic. The tradition of a Homecoming King or Queen didn’t start until many years later. The first Homecoming Queen title was given to Betty Walker at Ohio State University, in 1923. 

53 years after the crowning of the queen, the first Homecoming King was crowned. In 1976, Alex Lambrinides was given the title of Ohio State University’s first official Homecoming King. Voting and crowning students remains one of the most exhilarating parts of Homecoming’s customs to this very day. This keeps students and alumni excited for the events of the upcoming sports season!

Student Voices:

WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE PART OF HOMECOMING IN GENERAL?

“It would probably have to be the pep rally,” remarked Seinna Locklear.

“Definitely the pep rally!” says Tymarion Ross.

WHAT DO YOU THINK OF WHEN YOU HEAR THE TITLE HOMECOMING?

Elyssia Robinson commented that it makes her think of “the school’s anniversary or the beginning of the school.” 

“I think of it as a period of time to celebrate the school and bring the students together,” Tymarion declares.

“Homecoming makes me think of five things; dancing, fun, partying, love, and dressing up,” voiced Caleb Harell.

A majority of the students that I talked to also say that they think spirit week days should be voted in by the students and that we should have more interactive events leading up to the Homecoming Game.

CFNN Editor Abel S-J