OPINION: Homecoming Revival Faced with Mixed Spirit

• December 5, 2023

By Melody Tang and Grace Wang
ONLINE EDITOR AND STAFF WRITER

AHS’s first homecoming in over 20 years took place this October. From Monday’s Color Wars to Friday’s Andover Gear Day, people participated to show their AHS spirit. On Friday, October 20, AHS took home a close victory by two points at the homecoming football game against Central Catholic. Amidst it all, two divisions emerged. Although some thoroughly enjoyed themselves during the week of festivities, the overall absence of school spirit made homecoming week disappointingly lackluster.

The spirit was missing from the general student population. When compared to the overwhelming spirit and participation of other schools, AHS just doesn’t measure up. However, the lack of school spirit isn’t a problem generated by poor execution of homecoming. Instead, the subpar homecoming results are created by the culture culminating over the past few years at AHS. Students lack AHS pride. 

Except, it doesn’t have to be all negative. Many students and teachers did participate in celebrating homecoming. Though it may not have been overwhelming, it’s definitely a step up from the past. This homecoming could be the gateway to bringing back AHS pride. People did participate, and people did have fun. But how can we make the experience more universally enjoyable?

Kicking off the week, we had class colors on Monday. Then, we had Adam Sandler Day on Tuesday, Country versus Country Club Day on Wednesday, Tropical Day on Thursday, and Andover Gear Day on Friday. Each day was unique and creative, garnering mixed opinions. 

“I thought spirit week was pretty cool…we haven’t had a school-wide one like that since I’ve been at AHS,” said junior Shreya Desai. “It was a fun way to have some school spirit…I did love Country versus Country Club Day…I liked Spirit Week and hope we can do it more often.” 

“The themes were definitely different from what I’ve seen in the past,” said Senior Sanchita Swamy. “Country versus The Country Club was so odd, and class color didn’t work because people either didn’t care or wore the wrong thing.” 

“Spirit Week was boring and stupid. No one in the grade–even our teachers–did anything for Spirit Week. Maybe 12 out of 400 freshmen participated,” stated freshman Alex Nguyen.

“Not a lot of people dressed up for Spirit Week, mostly just seniors did, but even then, it wasn’t the majority,” said Senior Board member Anton Shvets. “I don’t think it had a staggering impact.”

On the bright side, we cannot forget to mention the proud victory against Central Catholic at the homecoming football game. AHS beat Central Catholic by two points, and the tight victory should be celebrated. 

Still, homecoming just didn’t feel special enough. “It was HOCO, but, to be honest, there was nothing special about the game. Like, I wouldn’t have known it was HOCO if it wasn’t on the board,” said Senior Anton Shvets. 

How can we generate more excitement? How can we create a more united atmosphere? How can we make our high school events even more special? With AHS’ dwindling spirit, it’s all the more important for events like this to bring the school together. 

The well-known dance celebrated by high schools nationwide was planned with a Hollywood theme for a grand reintroduction, complete with a DJ from Boston’s Kiss108 music station.

The idea of re-establishing homecoming was mostly suggested by current juniors and seniors. “We’ve been here the longest without one, and we wanted (to have it) one year… so that the freshmen and sophomores could continue that legacy,” said Aeyah Elbasiony, one of the student coordinators who planned the event along with the help of a group of parent volunteers.

“I expected a lot more people,” said senior Raghav Tewari. “I thought there would be more seniors coming too… I mostly saw sophomores and freshmen.” While Aixa Hilario De Kelley stated over 300 tickets were sold, it is difficult to confidently say that over 300 attended the dance. The cafeteria was far from packed, and it is ironic how the grades that were most excited about the event ended up having the lowest turnout. 

If all the students who purchased tickets did show up, the mood was severely lacking for an over 300-strong army of students. “It felt very separated like everyone was just in their own groups,” remarked Shvets. Students huddled separately in small bunches, and dancing was minimal. Even with the blasting music, most attendees seemed to be at a refined banquet rather than a raving dance. 

Nguyen commented, “Less than 20% of freshmen went to homecoming–I knew maybe four people who went. I’m telling you, no one was excited.”

“Some people were really excited,” said Desai. “Most were not fans of the fact that it was every grade, so that’s why they didn’t go.” 

While the return of homecoming was indeed a monumental event to celebrate, the lack of school spirit lessened the grandeur of its return. The overall participation for Spirit Week and turnout at the football game and homecoming dance revealed AHS’ biggest challenge: spirit. In preparation for future school events, let’s try harder as a student body to craft more vibrant and unforgettable experiences that truly capture the wonders of Andover High.