By Rachel Ramsdell

Why do we have Homecoming? To watch soccer games and volleyball matches? To have pep-rallies, spirit week, and hallway decorating? Homecoming means something different to everybody, therefore the answer to this question varies.

This year's Homecoming was different. The girls’ and boys’ soccer games were on different days, there was no hallway decorating, shouting in forum only occurred on Friday, and it was very early, being on the second Friday of the school year! Soccer players were scrambling to find the perfect gift and create the perfect poster for their homecoming partner, while Student Council was hustling to organize spirit week and the pep-rally. With less time, the embellishments of homecoming, such as hallway decorating and pep-rally games, had to be omitted. The magical feeling of walking through the newly-decorated hallways on Friday morning as well as the gentle feeling of excitement that results from seeing a massive blow-up obstacle course dominating the gymnasium were missing. In theory, since this year’s Homecoming wasn’t as flashy as it has been in years past, it was dull. However, was it really dull? Was it really empty? Was it really boring?

While an early Homecoming may appear to be an unfavorable circumstance, it was actually a blessing. The change required us to change the way we celebrate and view Homecoming. An early Homecoming forced us to downsize the grandeur. It brought us back to the roots of Homecoming, the real reason why we have Homecoming every year: Unity. Homecoming exists to unify us. We don’t have Homecoming to watch soccer games and volleyball matches: we have Homecoming to gather together to support our friends as they pursue their passions. We don’t have Homecoming to leave class for a pep-rally, have an excuse to wear a comical ensemble for spirit week, or to exercise our creative talents in hallway decorating: we have Homecoming to gather as a community for the reason of fun. Everything we do for Homecoming is to bring us together to have fun. When we unite, we become closer, stronger, happier, together. We become complete. As a school. As a community. As a family. With this, we can lift each other up. We rise to the occasion and bring others up with us. By coming together, we support our athletes in their games, the comical in spirit week, the bold in pep-rally games, the creative in hallway decorating, the vocal in cheers, and the community in celebration.

In the end, Homecoming is not about winning games or having the best spirit week outfit or hallway: it’s about that gentle feeling of pride in our community that ripples through our hearts. The true meaning of Homecoming often gets overshadowed by the excitement of the week, but I believe that the simplicity of this year’s Homecoming illuminated it instead. In the words of Dieter F. Uchtdorf, “There is a beauty and clarity that comes from simplicity that we sometimes do not appreciate in our thirst for intricate solutions.”

Do you want to have a say in Homecoming, pep-rallies, and other school-wide activities? Join Student Council! We are a group of leaders that represent the school, striving to make it a better, more unified, place. We meet most Mondays during tenth period in Mrs. Sears room. Listen to the announcements for more information.

Hygge (HOO-ga) is a Danish word that has begun spreading to the rest of the world. No other nation seems to have a word quite like it. There isn't just one word that can describe what hygge is. It's a feeling, a look, a mood, and so much more. It represents that particular feeling or moment when you're at total ease and nothing is bothering or annoying you. It's that feeling you get when you are with your friends, having a good time, or on vacation with your family. Phones turned off and forgot about somewhere, a game of UNO is going on, with snow falling outside and a glass of hot chocolate in hand. The fireplace is blazing, and you have just the right atmosphere and awareness. That is what hygge is all about.