The Most Wonderful Time of the Year

While some people believe that the Chirstmas holiday is the "Most Wonderful Time of the Year", the mighty Spartan Nation thinks otherwise. We do things a little bit different in October for the homecoming season. Sure, most schools have a pep rally and have hundreds of people attend the game, but us Spartans have a memorable day. Personally, one  of my favorite days of the year.

The fun activites start about a month before the actual game. The grade levels all get together to put a dance on for the school to show our spirit. Our dance must fit our theme (this year being "Musicals") and have appropiate music to match. The week of the game comes and we have a dress up day each day that also fits our theme. The studenst are encouraged to participate, because all of the days count as points for the competition of the red apple. The grade levels all compete to earn as many points as possible to get their grade engraved on the mighty red apple trophy. After all, Sparta is known for their apples. Other activies that go on throughout the week are a food drive and 'Penny-a-Point', both of which are donated to local charities. On the day of the game, our whole school is relieved of their classes and we all join together in the gym for a day of fun activites. The grades continue to compete in relay games for more points. Not only are the games fun to watch, but they are fun to compete in. After the games, there is costume prep for the dances, and then the performances. Following all that excitement is a parade, featuring the whole school, down to the football field. Once we arrive, the marching band has a performance and we all clap the Fight Song together. Then school is released and preparation for the game begins.
Before the game, there is a parade for the whole town to be able to see. The parade includes the band, the cheerleaders, drum corps, and the homecoming court. After the parade, the game begins and it is sure a sight to see. One thing that makes me more proud than anything is our amazing student section. They are always at the games cheering on the mighty spartans! During halftime, the homecoming court is presented, and the king/queen is crowned.
The next day is the homecoming dance, and boy do we know how to have a good time! We hold the dance at our school, and our student government always does a great job with putting it all together - including cute decorations! Overall, homecoming is an amazing time that is much too difficult to forget.

This year I am a senior at this school. This was my last homecoming, and this is a sad event for me. However, I definately went out with a bang and had the best homecoming possible. Our theme this year was "Musicals" and our grade went with the musical 'Rock of Ages'. Our dance included alot of popular 80's music and followed the plot of wanting to be famous. I got to dress up as an 80's rocker and I felt super cool - especially with my hair poofed out about four or five inches. This year, I was also elected onto homecoming court. While I did not win the crown, I still got to ride in a convertible with a pretty cute boy, and dress up in a beautiful dress. Even without the crown, I felt like a queen. It was an awesome experience. Coming into high school I would have never imagined myself giving a speech to 1,000+ people, but this year I did! I was just super honored to be able to represent my grade on court. The dance was fun as well, but all dances usually are! My date and I (another pretty cute boy) had an excellent time and took a lot of cute pictures.  Afterwards, I got to spend time with my friends at a bonfire. Overall, I had an amazing time.

Homecoming to me is a sense of unity throughout our school. Even though we all compete against each other, we come together in the end to have an amazing football game. I will miss all of the fun games as I move on past high school, but I will always hold the memories close in my heart.