explain homecoming to me

[Princess5]

lots of homecoming happening at high schools where i live.  i didnt go to high school in the US and have no idea what it is about?  but i am seeing friends kids with boys in suits, girls in short dresses, pictures together, flowers given to a girl etc.. why do you need to have a boyfriend in early high school?  and what the heck is homecoming?

[Tess in the Burbs]

I don't know why high schools do homecoming.  I get colleges doing it.  They want alumni to come back, enjoy some time on campus, and donate more money.  Maybe in the past people did that for high school as well.  They usually add people into school sports hall of fame(this is where people no one knows stand on the field for some award but no one is paying any attention).  They usually do a dance and name a queen/king.  I know when I did student council we put on a dance.  I had to go and work it.  But again, I don't think homecoming in high school is anything more than a fall activity.  

 

I've seen so many kids dressed up going to the dance.  it looked like prom for some of these kids!??!!?  And all in 9th grade.  So it's just gotten more glorified over the years I suppose.   It makes no sense.  Glad my kids don't have to deal with that.  

[athomeontheprairie]

I can't explain it. Didn't understand it when I was in high school. Don't understand it now.

[FaithManor]

We had homecoming, back in the day. But it was a casual event. Small parade with the marching band, a nice half time show. But if you weren't on the cheerleading squad, on the team, or in the band, you were in jeans, likely a school sweatshirt, and a hat since it is nearly always cold here homecoming night. The court usually had on nice dresses, and the guys might be in dress pants, button downs, and a tie, not evening gowns, and definitely not really expensive stuff. People didn't have the money to blow on that in my school district.

 

If there was a dance, it couldn't have been anything too extravagant.

 

I do agree it has gotten crazy. When my brother had his stroke and was hospitalized, my niece was elected to court and was required - yes, school requirement - to wear an evening gown. She owned nothing, and we only had one week to shop. She is 5'1" and only 90 lbs so none of the consignment shops had anything, most stores didn't have anything off rack. I ended up at David's bridal buying a gown. $200.00. I tried not to think about it. She was going through a really bad time, so scared about her dad, and her parents were going to end up having some terrible medical bills to pay. I would have sewn a gown if there had been enough time, but there wasn't. So we sucked it up, and dealt because we didn't want to make her feel bad about it. I would prefer, in a reasonable world, that these things be just "nice clothes" or casual so there isn't financial pressure on everyone. Sometimes I do not think the schools give a care about the kids who don't come from upper middle class or well to do homes.

Edited October 18, 2017 by FaithManor

[Crimson Wife]

My high school didn't have a football team so we didn't have homecoming.

 

At most high schools, it's a dance the weekend of the football game against the high school's biggest rival team. There is typically a homecoming "court" with Senior King and Queen and possibly Junior, Sophomore, and Freshman Princes and Princesses elected by the student body.

[ErinE]

I grew up in Texas so the homecomings were a big deal (google, "Texas homecoming mums" if you don't believe me). It's an opportunity for a fall dance which many enjoy.  I went one year with friends, other years with dates. We did have alumni come back, sometimes college students, sometimes older graduates who never left the area. Our homecoming nominees only dressed nice, as in church attire, at the football game presentation and the homecoming dance was cocktail attire, not formal gowns or tuxes. Our high school reunion was also scheduled to coincide with the homecoming game. I didn't go to the game (four kids, two of whom were babies) but everyone who went said they had fun.

 

Where we live now has a homecoming parade, which all the feeder schools participate in. It's a community activity, one kids and adults alike seem to enjoy.

[bettyandbob]

Once upon a Time it was a fun event involving a whole town.

 

Our local high school has a big parade and it is something the does involve the whole community. That is nice.

 

We do have alumni return for the game. People do meet up with teachers. That is nice.

 

The dance. This used to be casual to "semi formal". It was in the gym. It was fun mostly (my date was named Ron and he was exactly like Ron Weasely at the dance in book 4 of HP, so it wasn't fun for me--it nice to actually dance with the girl you asked).

 

Today, I think the dance has evolved into an overdone mess with overdone expectations. If it were still just a little dance in the gym...

 

Mostly I like the community aspect. Considering I do not live in a small town but rather a congested suburb, it is nice to see so many people come back to gather at the game. Kind of gives the feel that we do have a little small town in us.

[Ravin]

OMG the mums. Those were so ridiculous. Schools finally had to start putting limits on them.

[SquirrellyMama]

Part of Homecoming is welcoming back the football team from a road or away game, which is why it is "homecoming". It can also be a homecomingn for alumni.

 

My high school homecoming was very casual as is my kids' school's homecoming.

 

Why do it? There's a fun build up all week with spirit activities, the game, and a fun dance.

 

Kelly

[Guest]

Mums!!!

[Elizabeth86]

Our school did it, I didn't get it and didn't participate. Well I did do some of the spirit week stuff because some teachers actually gave you extra credit for dressing up, can you imagine? I would have done about anything for extra credit. :lol:

Edited October 18, 2017 by Elizabeth86

[daijobu]

I grew up in Texas so the homecomings were a big deal (google, "Texas homecoming mums" if you don't believe me). 

 

OMG, what ARE those things?  We had homecoming in Iowa where I went to high school, but we did not have those.  What are you supposed to do with them?  

[daijobu]

Okay, I just read an article about them, and they aren't common outside of TX.  Are these store bought?  It looks like boys wear them, too.  Does your BF/GF make them, or do you make them for yourself?   

[FaithManor]

I just googled those mums. My eyes hurt a little now.

[Dmmetler]

I made my own for college homecoming. My dorm hall did a trip to the craft store and then made them together. Ours weren't that big, though, although still pretty loud and garish.

[ErinE]

OMG, what ARE those things?  We had homecoming in Iowa where I went to high school, but we did not have those.  What are you supposed to do with them?  

 

 

Okay, I just read an article about them, and they aren't common outside of TX.  Are these store bought?  It looks like boys wear them, too.  Does your BF/GF make them, or do you make them for yourself?   

 

 

I just googled those mums. My eyes hurt a little now.

 

You can buy them or a parent (usually the mom) will make them. The guys also wear matching arm bands, usually ordered or made with the mum. When I was in high school, it wasn't unusual for girls to have more than one, exchanged in various girl activities especially drill team. I was trying to describe the mums to a neighbor, showing photos and talking about how you could hear the girls' bells ringing as they walked. I pointed out how weird the stuffed animals were, explaining we didn't have anything like that in my day.

 

She said, "I can't believe you're fixated on the stuffed animals. The whole thing is weird."

 

I agreed, but hey, it's Texas.

[ErinE]

Mums!!!

 

I probably have mine stashed somewhere in my mom's house.

[Rachel]

Our high school homecoming was about school spirit. There were dress up days, a parade, a bonfire where we burned a big B (then the seniors "stole" it each year). The band had a special half time show during the football game. All the fall sports played their big rival that week. Many alumni came back, it was fun.

 

There was a dance in the school gym the following day, people did dress up but no one bought new dresses. Girls usually got a corsage and boys a boutonnière, if they went as a couple but they weren't as fancy as the prom flowers. Not everyone went to homecoming with a date though unlike prom. My husband and I went on our first date to the homecoming dance.

 

It was a small town where people lived most of their lives so even people that no longer had high school students would go to the parade and football game.

[Rachel]

Oh and traditionally my school did mums too but not like Texas. It was just a big mum that moms wore, not students. That was kind of going out of style when I was in high school 20 years ago.

[Library Momma]

My daughter has homecoming at her HS this weekend.  There is a football game on Friday night and Saturday is a dance in the gym.  Some people go with dates some in groups of friends.  No corsages and definitely no mums.  There is no king and queen or court.  No parade.  As a matter of fact the gym isn't even decorated.  Just a DJ.  

 

It's basically the same as it was when I was in HS in the 80's.  I am slightly fascinated by the mum thing.  I just learned about it recently!

[Lang Syne Boardie]

OMG the mums. Those were so ridiculous. Schools finally had to start putting limits on them.

I was so fascinated by this, when I first learned of the custom.

 

Mums figured into my small, Midwestern farming community's homecoming festivities - as plants. There was a contest for best mums displays, growing out of the ground as per nature, in people's front yards.

[bettyandbob]

I'm not from Texas. The mum thing is just weird.

 

Is this one of those things are just bigger in Texas. Some of them look like corsages that are on steroids and have been subject to nuclear disaster.

 

Some people do corsages here, some don't.

[AppleGreen]

My oldest's school just had homecoming. Our sweet little town has a homecoming parade down the main street. My kids look forward to it every year. The band plays, teacher of the year (from the previous school year) rides and waves, class "princesses" ride and wave, each grade does a float, as well as a couple of the clubs and sports teams, it is small town fun and nothing tremendously over the top. The school does not do a homecoming dance due to low attendance. They have theme dress up days for the week leading up to homecoming, then homecoming football game and crowning of the homecoming queen at half-time. Our team actually won their first game in two years at this year's homecoming game, so it was a lot of fun (some of the seniors had never won a game). 

 

It does not feel over the top or excessive, just a fun time and a lovely community celebration. 

[Liz CA]

My high school didn't have a football team so we didn't have homecoming.

 

At most high schools, it's a dance the weekend of the football game against the high school's biggest rival team. There is typically a homecoming "court" with Senior King and Queen and possibly Junior, Sophomore, and Freshman Princes and Princesses elected by the student body.

 

:lol:  It is tied in with football? I did not attend American HS either and then homeschooled so I have no clue.

What do the "Queen and King" represent? They are the smartest people in the school, GPA? Good looks? The captain of the football team and the captain of the cheerleading squad?

 

I must confess I always thought it had something to do with returning to your alma mater in the fall... :laugh: Shame on me. After all the years I lived here, still not the faintest...

 

Edited October 19, 2017 by Liz CA

[Liz CA]

Oh and traditionally my school did mums too but not like Texas. It was just a big mum that moms wore, not students. That was kind of going out of style when I was in high school 20 years ago.

 

This was the wrong thread to open...I have so much to do...Moms as in Mothers wore mums as in flowers?  :lol: :laugh: :lol:

And in Texas the mums are bigger or the Moms??? Or both?  :leaving:

[PinkTulip]

Question about the mums: are there actually any flowers on those things or are they all ribbons, stuffed animals, and fluff?

[gaillardia]

It didn't used to be a big deal in most other places besides Texas, but I think people are watching Texas.

Mums, it actually means NOW a big ridiculous kind of thing a girl carries or wears...just...here: http://yestotexas.com/12-things-non-texans-need-to-know-about-homecoming-mums/

 

FaithManor, same here for my high school days. Homecoming for an away game, an important one, other class reunions that meet at the football game or the homecoming game, and jeans at the dance. 

[Liz CA]

Question about the mums: are there actually any flowers on those things or are they all ribbons, stuffed animals, and fluff?

 

:laugh: :laugh: :laugh: :laugh: :laugh: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol:  Oh man, this is getting better and better.

 

When you write "those things" what do you mean? What things? I thought the Moms are wearing mums...?

I think I need a picture...or leave this thread and do my reports.

[Liz CA]

It didn't used to be a big deal in most other places besides Texas, but I think people are watching Texas.

Mums, it actually means NOW a big ridiculous kind of thing a girl carries or wears...just...here: http://yestotexas.com/12-things-non-texans-need-to-know-about-homecoming-mums/

 

FaithManor, same here for my high school days. Homecoming for an away game, an important one, other class reunions that meet at the football game or the homecoming game, and jeans at the dance. 

 

Didn't see your post with link. THANK YOU.  :)

 

[gaillardia]

Keep in mind, that Texas schools would rather spend millions on their stadiums than on teaching kids how to read. this is not just a rash statement. When i found out how much some of the schools within a 50 mile-radius of where we live are spending on stadiums and remodels, and then looking at what was coming out of the schools as far as literacy...well. It isn't good. 

[1GirlTwinBoys]

My freshman daughter went to homecoming 3 weeks ago.  She didn't go with a boy and doesn't have a boyfriend.  She picked out a pretty dress and shoes, did her makeup, and I helped with her hair.  She met her best girlfriends there and they had so much fun!  Before the dance we all met at the park next to school and took pics.  After the dance, DH and I took her and 3 friends to a Mexican restaurant for an hour or so.  It was totally innocent and fun.

 

The homecoming football game was on Friday night and dance on Saturday.

Edited October 19, 2017 by 1GirlTwinBoys

[Rachel]

This is the style I was referring to; http://munews.missouri.edu/news-releases/2011/0420-mu-to-award-honorary-degree-to-musician-sheryl-crow/

 

The mum was big, not the mom. 😜

 

This was the wrong thread to open...I have so much to do...Moms as in Mothers wore mums as in flowers? :lol: :laugh: :lol:

And in Texas the mums are bigger or the Moms??? Or both? :leaving:

[ktgrok]

Yes, it's tied to a football game. Where I grew up the game was purposely always against a team that you had a really good chance of beating, because losing your homecoming game would ruin the mood, lol. 

 

The week before was all about school spirit, and pitting the various grades against each other. So points were awarded based on various dumb things and whatever grade with the most points "won". Then there was a parade on Friday, and you got out of school early to see it. Game that night, then dance afterwards or the next night, I can't remember for sure. Nice dress but not evening gown or anything. Suits, not tuxes for the guys on the homecoming court. 

 

Oh, and for the person that asked, it's done by ballot....basically it is a literal popularity contest. 

[PinkTulip]

 

When you write "those things" what do you mean? What things? I thought the Moms are wearing mums...?

I think I need a picture...or leave this thread and do my reports.

I meant the mums that the girls are wearing in the pictures I saw, not the Mom's. 😂 I'm not from Texas but I can see how this is getting confusing!

[Peaceseeker]

Do they wear these crazy mum things to the dance like whole body corsages? Or do they just give them as a gift when they ask someone to the dance and snap pictures? Is it like a mumprosal to homecoming like the promposal thing?

 

Because I don't know how they would dance with those things on, or why they would bother with expensive dresses you can't see behind the whole body corsage.

 

Seriously, the things I learn on this board!

Edited October 19, 2017 by CaliforniaDreaming

[Tanaqui]

Yes, it's tied to a football game. Where I grew up the game was purposely always against a team that you had a really good chance of beating, because losing your homecoming game would ruin the mood, lol.

 

Man, must have sucked to be that one school that everybody played against for their own homecoming.

 

Oh, and for the person that asked, it's done by ballot....basically it is a literal popularity contest.

 

Thus teaching everybody a valuable lesson about life.

[shawthorne44]

To explain, you have to start by trying to grasp Texas High School football.  I don't think I can express how huge it is.   I was in Rome when the Italian won the World Cup that was being played in Italy.   The level of bonkers was about equal and maybe a little less than that of a smallish town high school football team winning the State Championship.   Several Texas high school football games are televised every week.  

 

The homecoming game is like a regular high school only on steroids.  

 

King and Queen - that is really just a popularity contest.  The Queen even has a 'court' basically the Also-Rans.  

 

Mums are huge now.   As in, it doesn't matter what you where because no one will really get a good look at it.  But, that is only for Seniors.   There are limits placed on everyone else.  I think I still have my mum somewhere.  The flower centerpiece is silk.  I have to admit I'm a little shocked that the pendulum hasn't swung back to smaller by now.  But, this is Texas.  People know it is ridiculous, but it is an amusing and harmless ridiculous.  Kids wear their mums to school.  

 

Technically it is when alumni return to watch a game.   But, if you live locally, you probably go to several anyway.   The Homecoming game is basically the designated game to really go all out.  

 

[hornblower]

Wow. 
 
I didn't know any of this. This is one of those threads where I think the boards are a living anthropology class. 

[Liz CA]

I meant the mums that the girls are wearing in the pictures I saw, not the Mom's. 😂 I'm not from Texas but I can see how this is getting confusing!

 

Especially since I am used to seeing "mum" referring to "mother" by our British, Australian and Canadian friends.  :)

[Spy Car]

I have nothing but very fond memories of our homecoming game, other than not being able to play in the final football game of my high school career due to a mildly fracture finger. 

 

I ended up on the "homecoming court" escorting a very lovely and extremely nice young woman whose name I'd put into nomination in our school's House of Representatives. At our school, each organization nominated one girl.

 

I was aware that Rosanna had not been nominated, and was someone who was too easily overlooked. Not just being a latina at a mostly white school, but also not in Student Council, not a cheerleader, not the head of a social clique, etc. But such a sweet person. So I got her nominated by the HoR.

 

When I broke my finger, I was asked to escort Rosanna. It was such an honor. We all thought she'd one day marry our pal, Richie. He was a really nice guy. They were an item forever.

 

On homecoming night the girls wore gowns, we wore tuxedos. Each couple rode on the backs of convertibles around the football stadium while the crowds cheered and the girls waved.

 

When they announced that Rosanna was Queen she was so shocked that she practically collapsed into my arms. I still have the photos. She was overcome with joy. And I was so thrilled for her. She did not expect it. She deserved to be Homecoming Queen.

 

Not too long after, Ritchie died in a car wreck up on Mulholland Drive. Rosanna ended put marrying a lout (something no one could fathom) and far too young this beautiful kind person was taken by cancer. 

 

Life is something to celebrate.

 

Bill

 

 

[J-rap]

It's mostly just tradition, right?  It centers around a home football game, and I think originally it was a time when alumni would return and cheer on the home team.

 

Special events are generally planned around it.  Some schools have parades, some have Homecoming dances, some have a Homecoming King or Queen, etc.

 

I have great memories of my Homecoming in high school.  It wasn't over the top, but just a fun time for special events all week long, leading up to the big night of the football game and dance.  It's pretty much the same in the town we live in now.  Nothing over the top, just a fun week with extra events.  On the day of Homecoming (usually a Friday), kids wear school colors all day.  In our town now, there's a parade after school.  The school band marches in it, athletic teams, a few floats, etc.  The community gathers to watch if they can, to support the school.

 

ETA:  Our local school has a nice approach to Homecoming King and Queen.  They often choose kids (students vote) who are under the radar.  A few years ago, they chose a student with Downs Syndrome who had never had a chance to be in anything "special" before.  It was very cool.

Edited October 19, 2017 by J-rap

[Another Lynn]

Every time I scan the Chat Board, I think the title says "explain homeschooling to me."   :lol:

 

As far as the Mum thing goes, some version of it was popular here (KY) in the 60s, but not in the 80s.

[Carrie12345]

Homecoming wasn't a giant thing when I was in high school. (First half of the 90s.)  We were a small school and our football team hadn't won a game in something like 16 years, so the only people who really gave it any thought were the actual players, cheerleaders, and whomever got nominated for king/queen/princes/princesses.  Which, not surprisingly, was generally football players and cheerleaders.  I think I attended 2 football games in my 4 years, and one of them may have just happened to be a homecoming game.

 

I believe there was a homecoming dance my freshman year, but I didn't go.  I DID go my sophomore year, but it was a very casual thing. No dresses or suits. I'm pretty sure I wore jeans and sat on the gym floor through most of it.  It was so poorly attended that they never had another non-prom dance while I was a student.

 

Of course, it was very special to me. I reconnected with a childhood friend who introduced me to my boyfriend for the next 2.5 years.  So I am fond of the idea of homecoming, but mine definitely did not resemble what I've seen all over Facebook lately.

[shawthorne44]

Only the people on the court wore gowns or tuxedos at our homecoming games.  I don't remember what the boys wore, but the girls just wore nice dresses, like you'd wear to church.   I remember one of the girl's in the very popular group tore her silk dress at the football game by accidentally standing on a mum ribbon when she stood up.   The whole front of her dress tore off.  That was long enough ago that people were still pretending that they were just really really big corsages, and therefore they didn't come with the harnesses that they do now.  

[Lecka]

In some small towns it will be like an all-years high school reunion, and they have some event (a breakfast or something, maybe pancakes or maybe chili at night) and have tables for graduates from "the 1970s" and "the 1960s."

 

At my mom's they had even-years vs. odd-years volleyball, and they had alumni vs. high school basketball.

 

I always had a lot of fun when I went with her.

 

My step-dad's town is similar.

 

My step-mom's school merged into a larger school, and they have a joint reunion with all graduates from before around 1970 get together. But there's isn't tied to a current school since it doesn't exist anymore.

 

I think of it as a parade plus alumni events, for the most part.

 

Homecoming court was not a big deal at my high school. It is a big school so reunions are for just one year's graduates, and people don't get to see friends who were older or younger.

[Starr]

I think it goes back to when the school was the town and they focused on one main sport. It was a fun time for the community. Getting dates to the dance was a big thing because that was the only way a young lady could attend. And if you wanted to get married soon out of high school it helped to have a boyfriend. ;)