As the trees changed colors and a coolness told of the coming fall, the Lebanon Trail High School Community showed up to participate in a lovable tradition, Homecoming Week. From themed dress-up days to the highly anticipated Homecoming Football Game, everything made for a truly energetic and rather explosive week.
“I enjoyed the week a lot! Although I didn’t dress up because I was mostly off-campus for class, I had a lot of fun seeing everyone else who was dressed in theme! The game was also a ton of fun especially since we won,” said Anoushka Kanitkar, a senior at LT.
The week started off with Monday: PJ Day, where students rolled into the hallways straight from their beds. PJ Day made for a playful and relaxed atmosphere which was very much needed at the start of such a full-spirited, busy week.
“For Pajama Day, I wore some Taylor Swift merch with some light blue sweatpants,” said Addie Salvosa, a senior at LT. “I love wearing comfortable and cozy clothing and seeing other students’ unique pajamas.”
Tuesday was Rhyme Without Reason Day, an eccentric theme where creativity and silliness knew no bounds. Students concocted various goofy and usually illogical outfits in order to fit the theme of rhyming without reason.
“For Rhyme Without Reason Day, I dressed up as a princess while my friend dressed up in a Wild West theme,” said Salvosa. “The most memorable part of the day was taking photos and seeing other people’s costumes for the theme.”
Wednesday was Hawaiian Day, transporting all of the students off to the land of hula girls, colorful leis, grass skirts, and flower-patterned shirts, making the whole school a vibrant and beautiful community.
“I wore a flowery dress to represent the typical stereotype of Hawaiian Day,” said Bhavana Balaji, a senior at LT. “I do think I underdressed because it could have been misinterpreted as just a casual sundress — so maybe not enough flowers to show off the Hawaiian theme. But, overall, getting ready at the beginning of the day and having the motivation to do so really set me up for success the rest of the day.”
Thursday was Mums and Garters Day, a valuable Texas tradition.The flowers worn on the students’ outfits were filled with colorful blooms of pride which boldly adorned the hallways.
“I didn’t wear a mum but I did dress in green and gold for the game!! I liked how StuCo gave out spirit wear that we could use,” said Kanitkar.
The week crescendoed into a fever pitch of excitement on Friday night with the Homecoming Football Game. LT football fought hard and won, receiving cheers from the packed stands which were filled with excited and explosive students. The crowd was electric, filled with the spirit of students painting their faces and chanting in unison.
“My experience with the Homecoming Football Game was super fun because my friends and I went as a group,” said Ira Tendulkar, a senior at LT. “I am not that interested in football but by the end of the game, the school spirit overcame me and I was cheering just as loud as everyone else. I dressed up in green and I was super happy we won because that rarely happens, so I wanted to enjoy it while I could.”
The homecoming dance was center stage on Saturday night. The cafeteria turned into a glittering ballroom full of brilliant lights and lots of laughter, where students arrived in their finest dresses and suits dancing along with the beats of the DJ, keeping the memories of friendship alive.
“I went out with my friends and we had an amazing time near the Grandscapes at Legacy,” said Balaji. “I was wearing a purplish glittery dress — my favorite dress too. It was embroidered with a bow on the top and the sequins were color-changing as well, so from one side it looked purple and the other was a bluish indigo. It was a memorable and fun time but I went home and crashed.”
Homecoming week isn’t just a week full of various activities, it is a time to celebrate spirit, companionship, and high-value traditions. As we reflect upon the year’s celebration, the memories will extend further than just the glaring lights of the dance and the blazing stands of the stadium.
