Homecoming is on a Friday this year, and it’s because of flooding last spring. If you are not already aware, last year’s prom location had to be altered last minute when flooding caused the Mellwood Art Center parking lot to become unusable. Thankfully, SOHS were able to find a new location for prom last school year, but the venue was already paid for. In order not to lose our deposit at Mellwood we had to use the location for Homecoming, therefore the limited date options. After seeking feedback from students, it seems that many students do not know the reason behind Homecoming being on a Friday.
Some students feel good about Homecoming on a Friday, such as Aspen Strong (9) who says “I think it’s good because we get to spend more time with our friends after school.” Ava Smotherman (9) agrees with Strong saying “It’s a good thing because people have the weekend free.” Additionally, freshman Gracie Brown (9) commented that “Yes, [It’s good] because people can stay up late and hangout with friends after the dance.” Some of the freshmen are looking on the bright side and predicting that a Friday Homecoming will be beneficial.
Other students have concerns with Homecoming being on a Friday. Sophomore Haley Anderson (10), who goes all out for Homecoming, said, “I think that it’s dumb being on a Friday because we don’t have enough time to get ready and because it’s before fall break, not a lot of people can go.” Another student, Taylor Meredith (10), brings up the issue with sports, saying that “It doesn’t give me enough time to prepare, plus the people who have sports events or games are gonna have issues.” When asked if she was excited about Homecoming, Isabella Bryant (9) said, “No, because it’s on a Friday.”
Furthermore, an issue that students referenced repeatedly was the Homecoming date falling on the day before Fall break. “I can’t go and I’m really sad. I already had my dress and now I can’t go,” Chloe Rice (11) vocalized. Freshman Kelsey Canha (9) agrees with this statement, saying, “It’s on the weekend before fall break. It’s not good for the kids that leave a day early for fall break, and would be better after a football game.” Another student believes that it could be good but has some downsides, Ava Bourgeois Amato (9) explains that “It’s right before fall break so it’s not affecting people’s school schedule, [but] some people go out of town”
“It makes it impossible for a lot of people to go. I can’t go because I’ll be in Europe, and none of my friends can go either,” says Carter Rice (11). The sentiment reflected in many responses is that students do not know the reason for Homecoming being on a Friday.
So, why is Homecoming on a Friday? As well as the day before Fall Break? Principal Melissa Woolsey has answered some questions about this issue. When asked about the limited Homecoming date options, Woosley responded with, “Yes, that is correct. [Mellwood] only provided us with a few fall dates for the date movement. No spring dates to be able to use for prom, for example, were available. The options for fall included some week nights and some Sundays, no Saturday options.”
Furthermore, when asked why this was the only option for Homecoming, she responded with, “We wouldn’t have just lost our deposit, the venue $9000 had been paid in full before the flood.” Woosley has also mentioned that, “We have provided feedback to a few parents and students.”
According to Senior Class sponsor Ms. Collins, “The city flooded and the venue wasn’t going to give us a refund and the only date available was October 17 so it was either that or forfeit 9,000 dollars.” It seems the complications with the Homecoming date have much more to do with Mellwood and the unfortunate flooding than anything to do with decisions made at the school level. While it sucks to have Homecoming on a Friday, it would be worse for us to not have it at all.
Homecoming tickets will go on sale for 25 dollars at lunch from September 29 to October 16. One of the outcomes of HOCO being on a Friday is the approval for a half day exemption should students need time to prepare for the dance. Follow these steps to get a half day for Homecoming:
- Buy a homecoming ticket
- Get your parents to write you a parent note
- Turn in your parent note to the attendance office before 10/17
- This will allow you to leave in the afternoon starting at 1:05pm
- Your eight unexcused parent notes will not be used as long as you check-in at the dance entrance table
