Southwood Celebrates Homecoming

By Emma Adams, Communications Student Intern

The high school practice of Homecoming is rife with traditions that build a strong school community and promote pride in one’s school. Such traditions give students the motivation and an outlet to express their love and support for their school in their own creative ways.

Peach Fuzz and Powder Puff are two important traditions coinciding with Homecoming. High school boys are given the opportunity to sign up for this highly anticipated game of friendly yet competitive volleyball known as Peach Fuzz. Powder Puff is similar in that it gives high school girls the opportunity to compete against one another in an equally competitive game of flag football. This year, Southwood held both a Powder Puff game and Peach Fuzz match.

Another staple of Homecoming are the dress up days throughout the week leading up to the Homecoming football game. Students are encouraged to participate in dress up days selected based on that year’s Homecoming theme as determined by the Student Congress. Such dress up days build morale and excitement amongst the students Seeing the creative costumes students either make or put together brightens one’s day and encourages others to follow suit. Southwood’s Homecoming theme this year was “Face-Off.”

Additionally, Southwood Jr/Sr High School returned to the tradition of decorating the school hallways for Homecoming week. Students with a creative talent were given the opportunity to work with their classmates to decorate their grade’s hallway according to the Homecoming theme of “Face-Off.”

Homecoming is a staple when considering school spirit as it unites the school community behind an exciting week full of activities. Whether it be athletics, the arts, or vying to be the best dressed, every student is given the opportunity to participate in Homecoming to some capacity and in their own way. As stated by Carrie Collins, Southwood’s Homecoming queen, in reference to decorating the senior hallway, “It was cool to watch everyone pitch in how they could and work together, especially toward the goal of beating the juniors.”

Homecoming also unites the past and the present by inviting back the prior year’s Homecoming king and queen as well as many other alumni who have remained in the community. Many prior graduates attend the Homecoming game to show support for their former school, exemplifying the sense of community within Southwood.

Southwood High School’s Homecoming court was composed of Will Winer and Carrie Collins as king and queen; Micah Smith, Randy Boone, Jarret Denney, Macey Barney, Shyanne Stout, and Carley Whitsel representing the senior class; Logan Roberts, Gabe Mealy, Makenna Snow, and Sarah Grace representing the juniors; Griffin Chambers, Bryce Brewer, Mylah Dillon, and Autumn Rasmussen representing the sophomores; and Ashton Dague, Kaylen Gidley, Justine Kirkpatrick, and Elexis Kelley representing the freshmen.