I know who I am and who I may be, if I choose.
~Miguel de Cervantes Saavedra
Homecoming week is always a fun time. I remember looking forward to it when I was in school, and even now, as a teacher, I look forward to a week with a little different atmosphere. We are not that far into the year (well, actually, I guess we are over 1/8th of the way to the end already), but it is already refreshing to have something just a little different to look foward to.
What many of us don't take the time to reflect on is the reason for Homecoming. The tradition was started as a way of welcoming alumni back to visit their school and promote a sense of tradition. This Homecoming, I would challenge you all to spend a few minutes to think about what PHS alumni think when they come back to visit. Are they proud of what they see? What traditions do we emphasize? Are they as important as we make them out to be? Are there traditions we could start while we are here that might be more worthwhile?
I am not asking these questions because I think I know all of the answers. These are not questions for me to answer. These are questions that we must ALL answer, and I think that now is a great time to do it. This is the first Homecoming for PCHS. This is a chance for a new start if we want it. The important thing to remember, though, is that it can't just be the responsibility of a select few. We can't always say "Well, that's the way it has always been, so what can I do about it?" We must ALL continually look at who we are and who we want to be. We are ALL PCHS.
The biggest tradition that everyone in this town emphasizes is May Fete. There only very few other schools who still have it. When I was at Journalism Camp, no one had any idea of what May Fete was. Some people didn't even say correctly.
ReplyDeleteLast year I created the History of May Fete page of the yearbook. As I was looking through past yearbooks, I could tell that May Fete was just as big of deal as it is today. I also learned that Mrs. Elliott was a May Fete Queen and her escort was Mayor Craig Smith. Everyone on the staff last year was so amazed by it, and it just comes to show that traditions are really cool to be a part of.
i agree with kelly may fete is a big deal. i cant wait for may fete this year because i will be in it. i also think that the homecoming game and dance are a tradition. i know our team may not be good but i still like to go to the homecoming game every year. i love going to the dances. i have been to all but 1 dance since my freshmen year.
ReplyDeleteFirst>> If we are so "school spirited" why don't kids participate in things that benifet the school, that aren't fun also? They don't want to help, or do anything unless it has a benefit for them. Selfish, Selfish Teenagers.
ReplyDeleteSecond>> Yeah, I really don't have a point, this blog comment was pretty much useless. D8
-Zizi!! c(:
'untent'
i don't understand why so many people are so harsh toward the high school. it's so odd how the community is so resenful toward the center of the community? this school is where the new members of the community are molded. we need to show some enthusiasum for the school and its teams. i've never in all my life seen so many people not support the school system. it's ridiculous!!!
ReplyDeleteHomecoming has always been a big tradition in Paris- Spirit Week is always one of the most fun weeks at the High School. It has been going on for a long time, and the tradition shall continue.
ReplyDeletethe reason for the alumni to come back is to see if their favorit teacher is still working there or maybe they just want to see how their old school changed.
ReplyDeletethis is sean kachmar
i think that all of these little "traditions" are muy dumb.
ReplyDeletebut, that may just be me.
-RIO :)
I agree with Kelly. I think May Fete is definitley the biggest tradition at the high school. Although I've only participated in it one year, I've been going for as long as I can remember. It's a fun tradition to honor the senior girls and I think more underclassmen should participate!
ReplyDeleteI belive that we do have a good school and do stick to many traditions. Like kelly said we have mayfete and thats a huge tradition and we also have powderpuff which many schools dont really take part of. And when i graduate and o off to college im still going to come back for the week of homecomeing to see everything and everyone
ReplyDeleteHomecoming was a fun experience for me. Being my first time particpating i did't know what to expect. But it turned out to be very fun. I ended up losing my voice by the time the day was over.
ReplyDeleteI think the biggest tradition of Paris High School is May Fate. Its been going on ofr a long time. Everyone seems to enjoy going and watching. I can't wait till i can participate in May Fate.
ReplyDelete- Mallory Henn (:
My sister never really talked about Homecoming when she was in school, so I just thought it was like another dance or sockhop like out at Crestwood. I went to this year's and I had a blast! But it was just like another dance...I think we should make it more than a regular dance and put it up next to Prom. Since PCHS is new and different, I think that Homecoming should be new and different too!
ReplyDelete-Jacob Whitacre 5th Hour
That is a great idea, Jacob. I encourage you to get involved with the planning committee for next year's dance and voice your ideas. I'm sure other students would be supportive of making it a more special occasion.
ReplyDeleteI had a blast at Homecoming. Like Jacob said, it would be a great idea to change it up than just a regular dance. Oh and it should be longer than just a couple hours because I was not ready to leave.
ReplyDeleteKristina Wilson 5th hour YAY!!!
i remember once when i was about three which is probably one of the very few memories that i have around that age i went to see my cousin jessica walk out in may fete. and to everyone that was in it, it was a pretty big deal for a pretty big tradition.
ReplyDeletei went to granite city previously this year and i was telling my friends down there about it and they all looked at me like i was crazy (though i can be slightly crazy at times). but for once i actually knew what i was talking about.
Kelsi Vlahos 5th hour
I think the people that use to go to this school would be proud of what they see at the Paris High School. The traditions that we emphasize is probably the football game that the girls have against each other. The game is not really important but it is a lot of fun for everyone.
ReplyDelete-Kahrissa Higginbotham!
I thought that homecomming this year was really fun. I think the theme should change every year though so we can all look foward to something knew.I think that mayfate is the funnest for everyone. I cant wait till i will be able to participate in it this year.
ReplyDeleteI think we should keep all the traditions we have at PCHS, because everyone in the community gets so involved and its nice to see that. Also I agree I think they should make homecoming more formally than the other dances we have even if it's just a little bit.
ReplyDeleteI think we should keep all the traditions we have at PCHS, because everyone in the community gets so involved and its nice to see that. Also I agree I think they should make homecoming more formally than the other dances we have even if it's just a little bit.
ReplyDelete