Homecoming 2025

The concept of homecoming has its roots in the early 19th century when it was first adopted by colleges and universities to as a way to welcome back alumni around a major athletic event. According to legend, the athletic director at the University of Missouri was looking for a way to boost attendance at the annual rivalry football game during the 1911 'Border War' contest with the University of Kansas. What better way to do so then inviting back alumni for a weekend celebration that included pep rallies, bon fires, and parades; all culminating in the big game? The model for the modern homecoming celebration was born. By the 1950s, it was ubiquitous in high schools all around the nation.

My relationship with homecoming over the years has been, well a bit complicated. Perhaps I'm a bit stubborn but as illustrated above, homecoming at its roots was about the alumni. Factor in the consideration that at one time, what had been a weekend celebration has morphed into a weeklong interruption to the normal and regular operation of the institution. The potential for chaos keeps me awake at night! One may think a day of dressing a certain way is pretty benign, but perhaps a visit to the kindergarten wing during 'dress like your teacher day' might be a good way to test that theory! I know, I know. I'm a fun hater, right? Hold on a moment, I did say this was complicated!

On one hand it is critically important that we never lose sight of the primary purpose we exist. To that end, we strive to make every moment count and ensure that instructional time-those minutes we use to educate the youth of our community are not wasted. I remind our staff at the beginning of each year of the enormous responsibility they carry and the job they must do-and the fact they have 180 days in which to do it. 

Yet, the other side of the same coin would remind us that while the work we do is incredibly important, there is no prohibition in having fun while doing it! Many times in this missive I have extolled the virtues of the American public school system while drawing comparisons with our counterparts in other countries. Where those systems do not include robust activity programs (art, music, athletics), ours does. Indeed, homecoming is a uniquely American experience and one that, in spite of my 'complicated relationship' am proud to celebrate.

What had at one time been a gimmick to pack the stands a rivalry football game has evolved into something much more. Homecoming does still have that element of welcoming home our alumni. But now, it is about school and community pride. In the final analysis perhaps now, [more so] that really is the nexus of what this thing we call homecoming is all about. After all, the first thing most people see when they are approaching the gateway view of our small Iowa town is a water tower emblazoned with the Pirate logo. We wear navy and white because we are proud not just of our school, but we are proud of where we are from. We wear navy and white because we are inspired by the accomplishments of our students. We are proud of what they are able to achieve in the classroom and on the field of play. We are appreciative and satisfied when we hear the stories of our students who have set examples that, at one time were nurtured and cultivated within our own halls, and now serve as an inspiration for those who follow in their footsteps.

In my view, Homecoming 2025 was a tremendous success. Not just because of the huge upset win at the game on Friday night, but also the spirit, joy, and excitement the week brought to our students and community. The annual chili supper at the fire station. The pep rallies. The homecoming dance. The game. And yes, the dress up days. Thanks to everyone who worked so hard in planning the week!