Happy Homecoming!
It’s that time of year again! Homecoming season 2014 officially broke out last week on Friday in the beginning of the school day. Wearing assorted costumes of characters related to each grade’s theme, members of SEC and Student Council greeted students as they arrived at school and came off the bus. Chosen by SEC, the homecoming theme this year is Hollywood West, with each grade level theme relating to a specific movie genre. Freshmen will represent fantasy, Sophomores are science fiction, Juniors are animation and Seniors are superheroes.
With Homecoming day approaching in a little less than two weeks, students have been working diligently on their banners and floats. Senior class president, Stephen Imburgia, hosted the senior float build at his house this past Saturday. Imburgia noted that his stress level was a bit high, but he is happy that the senior class got a head start on building the float this summer. With sufficient time management and help from peers, students can get their Homecoming scenery done with no problem!
Some may remember Homecoming weekend being in late October last year, and may be wondering why it is so early this year. The home game dates for the Hills West Colts football team kept interfering with standardized test dates. With the SAT on October 11th and the ACT on October 25th, it was evident that homecoming must be pushed earlier in order for our homecoming game to be on a day that is convenient for everyone. These dates are not the only changes made for this year’s Homecoming week.
Unlike previous years, this year there will not be a pre-Pep Rally during the school day as of now. It had always been a tradition that students come to the gym on Friday morning to get excited for the after school Pep Rally and to watch the homecoming court announcements. Because of the gymnasium’s capacity and the significant amount of incoming freshmen, the in-school pep rally is now limited to seniors only, and will be held in the auditorium. This decision has upset many seniors and underclassmen. “To take away certain aspects of homecoming and Pep Rally is taking away what makes us proud to be Hills West students,” says senior, Mikayla Schlossman as she expresses her feelings towards the changes. “I remember being a freshman, sitting in the gymnasium watching the senior class. At that moment I could not wait to become a senior like them. Now that this tradition is gone, underclassmen will not be able to look up to us,” senior, Sarah Poretsky explains.
At the end of the school day on Friday the 19th, however, all students will be able to come back to school to attend Pep Rally. “Pep Rally is the most fun, spirited and energetic time of the school year,” says Julia Schwartz, a senior at Hills West. During pep rally, students will cheer for their class and compete in events including tug-of-war, musical chairs, wheel barrel and other athletic events. Also during Pep Rally, the homecoming couples will preform their skits, and there will be performances from a variety of school clubs. Who will be the most spirited class this year? This year’s seniors have been champions of Homecoming for the past two years, and they are hoping to continue their winning streak.
On Saturday morning, September 20th, the homecoming parade will begin down Wolf Hill Road where the Hills West Wrangleretts, Hills East Dixettes, the Hills West marching band and other groups will perform. Along with these performers will be members of each class presenting their floats, and the members of the homecoming court. Following the parade, the Hills West Colts football squad will be playing the Smithtown West Bulls. At half time of the game, the Homecoming king and queen will be announced the marching band and Wrangleretts will perform led by Mr. Foti, and the winners of Homecoming 2014 will be revealed!!!
Homecoming is a wonderful time of the school year, and we hope that everyone is excited to participate. Good luck to all classes, and Happy Homecoming!!!
