Homecoming

Homecoming week. The forecaster keeps saying the temps are warm for October. But I think they are perfect. Chilly mornings and evenings, divided by clear, warm afternoons. Warm enough to be comfortable, and cool enough to think it is football weather. Zippedee doo dah days we call them in the South.

Thursday of Homecoming week is Games Day. Classes are shortened and a few hours are dedicated to clean fun and competition. Freshmen, Sophomores, Juniors, and Seniors face off in a variety of games. The planning done by Student Council and their mentor is very impressive. There is a little room for athletes to strut their stuff: the basketball players invariably represent their classes in Knockout, and wrestlers and football players shine at tug-of-war. And just for the record, boys and girls compete together in Basketball Knockout, and a Junior GIRL won, knocking out a Senior Boy with her last shot. But happily, the games are planned so that there is something for everyone.

Today’s competition began with all members of the four classes racing to unroll giant rolls of toilet paper. Then there was “fan the egg” in which competitors had to move two eggs down the basketball court by fanning them with a pizza box. And “the weave” in which a team of 25 must weave crepe papers streamers around the entire team, passing them hand-to-hand, without breaking the streamer.

All the students modeled good sportsmanship. But the Freshmen team in particular caught my attention during the streamer race. They moved the roll of crepe paper carefully and steadily, patiently weaving themselves into a sleeve of grey. The hand-to-hand progress of the streamer roll was deliberate and methodical. The Juniors were rushing along and for a second it looked as though they might win. But no, like the tortoise racing the hare, slow and steady won the race for the Freshmen. And later, the Freshmen boys beat the Junior boys at tug-of-war. That never happens! But those guys just kept pulling. I don’t know the Freshmen class, rarely see them in the library. (We have to work on that!) But their persistence and conscientiousness impressed me.

Tonight, students will gather around a bonfire. The Homecoming queen and her court will be announced. Football players will work up a little anger for Friday night’s opponent.

And on Friday night, gladiators will suit up to battle between the goal posts. The queen will be crowned. The 1985 football team will be honored. The game will be followed by a dance. And then it will be over. One homecoming among many for the teachers. The first homecoming for our Freshmen. The first event in a year of lasts for our Seniors.