Leaves changing color. Wearing sweatshirts and sweatpants to stay warm. Watching the marching band perform. The crowd cheering at football games. The crowning of Homecoming royalty. Homecoming traditions left and right.
Each school has their own traditions for celebrating Homecoming, the time to show off school spirit. For some seniors, this is the celebration and marking of the beginning of the school year, but also the bittersweet experience of high school coming to a close. Falls Church High School has various Homecoming traditions to select participation in. Apart from the dance itself, there’s also a Homecoming parade, tailgate, football game, spirit week, and pep rally.
“As a member of SGA, planning homecoming is definitely an event that’s fun and stressful. However, I enjoy working with a team to create memories for the students at Falls Church,” SGA class of 2025 representative Aisha Telhan(11) said.
For this year’s Homecoming, students had the opportunity to dress up each day of the week to express their school spirit. Themes included Adam Sandler day, Zoom day, Barbie and Ken day, throwback day, and of course, class color day. For class color day, seniors were instructed to wear black, juniors green, sophomores yellow, and freshman white. Friday afternoon, students were called down to the field for our Homecoming pep rally in order to celebrate the school’s Jaguar spirit.
“I think all of the activities leading up to homecoming got me really excited for homecoming. Being a part of the pep rally was also super fun and I hope to do it every year if I can. As a freshman who has never done homecoming before, it was really fun for me to see all the grades compete and cheer for their students at the pep rally,” Ali Lieberman(9) said.
There are countless memories to be made during Homecoming. Whether you’re a football fan, enjoy dressing up for school, or even self-proclaimed spirit hater, you’re almost guaranteed to have a story to tell about the week. Homecoming week offers plenty of activities to partake in.
“Homecoming at FC was always a big deal, even more so than prom back in the day from 2004-2008. I remember looking forward to walking in the neighborhood parade as a cheerleader with my fellow classmates, waving at all the neighbors in the community”, FCHS alumni and physical education teacher Megan McCabe said.
Friday night, of course, was the big Homecoming game. This year, Falls Church faced John R. Lewis High School, with an ending score of 0-7.The end of the week was marked by the Homecoming dance. Taking place Saturday night for students, this year’s Homecoming theme was Haunted Hoco. Leadership students decked out the gym with spooky halloween decorations located in the main gym. Students came together to enjoy music, dance, and to socialize.
“As a cheerleader I like Homecoming because of the energy that we get from the crowds and everyone at the game. The pep rally and the game combined is so special and I love the vibe of the students, teachers, and even the admin. At the game, there’s always so many smiles and laughs from everyone in attendance and it makes me as a cheerleader so happy to see a crowd so enthusiastic about our school,” cheer captain Lucy Boyd(11) said.
