Homecoming is a special event at Rockbridge County High School and a landmark in every school year. Homecoming is typically thrown by the seniors to welcome the freshman and celebrate the start of the year.
Each year the Senior Class Council picks a theme. For the first time, this year, the sophomores helped the seniors choose the theme, which will be Mardi Gras.
Luke Eversole is the president of the Senior Class and shares the thought behind choosing the theme Mardi Gras.
“The group chose Mardi Gras because it seems like a really fun thing to celebrate. We wanted to pick a theme that seems easy to have fun with,” said Eversole.
Originally, Mardi Gras is French for Fat Tuesday. This name is reflecting the practice of the last night of consuming rich, fatty foods in preparation for the Christian fasting. However, it has recently become one of the world’s most colorful and vibrant festivals, featuring parades, elaborate costumes, and lively music.
Homecoming this year will take place at the gym on Oct. 26. Doors will open at 7, and close at 10. Tickets are 10 dollars and will begin to be sold on Monday, Oct. 21.
This is the first year that the sophomores have helped the seniors choose the theme. SCA wanted to try something new this year and give the sophomores an opportunity to practice planning homecoming due to the fact that they will be in charge of planning the 2026 Prom.
Sophomore Braelyn Polly is on SCA this year, and helped with choosing the theme. She shared what the Sophomore Class Council brought to the table when working on the theme.
“We’re giving a lot of ideas for homecoming, and we’re just helping them decorate, and we’re also just providing our input and just helping make homecoming great for everybody,” said Polly.
Along with the process of helping out planning homecoming, it is also a learning experience for the sophomores to prepare for prom planning in the next couple years.
Polly provides more insight on the process.
“Prom is so much more meaningful than homecoming, so I think it’s important that we learn how to do it right before the bigger events in the future,” said Polly.
There are many aspects to think about when planning homecoming, one of the most important, being student happiness. This is just one of the many goals of SCA. Sophomore SCA member Chase Potter shares more goals for the 2024 homecoming.
“The goals of homecoming are just for everybody to have a good time. It’s a place for everybody to meet with their friends and look good, and just have a great time with everybody and connect,’’ said Potter.
Setting these goals are key to how the homecoming dance goes. Both the sophomore and senior student council cares about how the dance goes, and knows the importance of the dance.
Senior SCA member Paul Drumbl shares his thoughts on the importance of the homecoming.
“Homecoming is important because it gives us a social event, and it’s nice to see others talk to each other,” said Drumbl.
Before the Homecoming dance, students will have spirit week. Hallways decorating is one of the main events.
The Freshmen’s theme is Mardi Gras Color, the Sophmores have have Cajun Louisiana, Juniors have the Masquerade ball, and the Seniors have Bourbon street. See the infographic for students’ opinions on the themes.
Senior class vice-president Addison Flint explains how they will reuse the hallway decorations for the gym.
“We’re using decorations created by all of the class councils for spirit week in the commons. We plan on using beads, masks, and feathers to decorate the gym,” said Flint.
Homecoming this year is the last for many seniors. It is the last time they will be entering the gym for homecoming, which can be a very emotional moment for many.
Senior Oscar Kosky discusses what homecoming means to him.
“For me, homecoming is a time to get together with friends and get together for a great Saturday night. It’s a pretty special thing and I’m gonna remember it for a while,” said Kosky.
Overall, homecoming is a night everyone can look forward to, and always turns out to be a lot of fun.
