Kelly Saiz
Reporter
The week of homecoming has arrived, and student and faculty advisors have been planning to build on the success of last year’s relatively trouble-free festivities with some new additions and changes.
This year, like last, students can expect a cleanly sanctioned three-day Spirit Week, pep rally, bonfire, and Homecoming. New this year, students will enjoy the lounge decorations all day on Friday the 23rd as opposed to just the first few periods.
In the past, Homecoming had operated on different terms. Student Body President Dolly Meckler reflected on years past, “The bonfire was just mean, spirit week was crazy and just a big distraction, and Homecoming was not breathalyzed,” she said.
Derogatory activities and banter administered by students left peers, faculty, and parents unsettled. The administration was particularly disappointed by the conduct. Assistant Principal Ari Rothman explained the administration’s reasoning, “It had nothing to do with promoting school spirit,” he said.
In response to those with a negative reaction to the updated policies, Dolly Meckler said, “You’ve got to compensate for everyone,” meaning that the views of faculty, administration, and students must be taken into account.
Last year, it was evident that there was a tightening of the reins on Homecoming celebrations. Pajama Day and High Society Day were eliminated from the Spirit Week itinerary. The bonfire was ultimately nonexistent due to rain cancellations.
These changes were in response to the negative 2007 Homecoming experience, and the administration has made it a point to continue to monitor all events and traditions by increasing their oversight of the activities. The administration has made changes to ensure that they can guide the events appropriately. Mr. Rothman said, “We eliminated a lot of crazy silly stuff that ended up being the forum through which inappropriate things happened.”
Similar to last year, those in the student coalition responsible for the planning of Homecoming must have the approval of the administration. Prior to last year, the student responsible for conducting the pep rally and bonfire did not have their dialogue and skits approved specifically by the administration. “We’re just going to make sure that whoever becomes involved is absolutely clear on what the expectations are,” Mr. Rothman said.
According to Dolly, dialogue in the pep rally and bonfire on October 23rd will be scripted and the students involved in the procedures must have parental consent to participate.
Both the administration and student coalition have high expectations for the outcome of this year’s celebration. In regard to the Homecoming policies, Mr. Rothman expects adherence, “I am confident that we can appeal to people again in a reasonable way.”
Apparently the new policies have also instilled a revival of positive expectations among students. Dolly Meckler explained what she understands to be the attitude of the student body, “Everyone knows that we have to be really good so I think everyone will try to be on their best behavior.”
It has been acknowledged that social complexities among students exist beyond the concerns surrounding the bonfire and pep rally. The spirit week schedule includes Clone Day on Wednesday, Turn Back the Clock Day on Thursday, and Red and Black Day on Friday. Dolly Meckler said, “I hope no one is excluded. I don’t want people to feel targeted.”
The atmosphere of Homecoming is supposed to be positive. Can people enjoy themselves with more restrictions? Dolly Meckler said, “I hope that no one gets too crazy and ruins it for everyone else…I just want people to have fun.”
Culminating school spirit is the objective of all activities preceding Homecoming. A positive experience is the aspiration of both the faculty and students. Mr. Rothman gave the definition of Homecoming, saying it is an, “opportunity to in another way build a sense of community.”
However, for many the changes that have been adapted to Homecoming over the past year can be viewed as for the better. To many, safer fun means that school pride is less susceptible to corruptness. Dolly Meckler said, “It’s about coming together rather than breaking apart.”
