Penny Thoughts: What Is ‘Homecoming’ Anyway?

Most celebrations or celebration days have their meanings and intentions built into their titles – “birthday,” the day of a person’s birth, “Christmas,” the celebration of Christ’s birth, etc.  Some celebrations have their intentions implicit.  “Homecoming” is one of those celebrations whose meaning is implied, but still hints at its intentions.

Youngsters might ask “What is ‘homecoming’?” and perhaps some adults might pose the same question.  This happened the other day when I was driving my children to school. Now, this may sound like a brag but they are all honors students— then, again, like Will Rogers said, “If you can do it, it ain’t braggin’!” – so I was taken aback when they did not really know what “homecoming” was.

I launched into the task of explaining what homecoming entails with a very involved portrait of the functions and activities associated with a homecoming.  I tried to outline in detail the organizational meetings, the parties, the dances, the sporting events and the entire litany of things to do during homecoming.  It is the return of the institution’s alumni to “home” and their engagement in those activities which has the single purpose of reaffirming the loyalty alums hold for their alma mater.

This function of the “return” is the same for a high school, a junior college, or a college.  Depending on which type of institution is the object of the homecoming, the degree of sophistication is commensurate with the “home” part of the return. Invariably, the parade, the sporting events – usually a football game against an opponent which seems to ensure a victory – and the “Homecoming Dance” or “Homecoming Ball” serve as highlights to the entire weekend or day of Homecoming. And it is usually at this dance/ball which encompasses the naming of the Homecoming King and Queen serves as another highlight of the homecoming.

Now, there is no disguising the fact that colleges will use their homecomings as vehicles to garner more financial support in the form of pledges or donations.  On the high school level, however, homecoming seeks to reinforce the support and loyalty their alums have already expressed and extended.

Whatever the institutional intentions, homecoming is a time to gather with fellow alums at an institution they all call alma mater.  The reunion of old friends and associates engenders and reinforces the bonds they formed when they were students. Tales of exploits since graduation, families formed, children reared and successes are commonly exchanged.  Some may have put on some extra pounds, while others are showing signs of less hair or graying hair, but all of them will enjoy the fellowship of recalling some of the best years in their lives.  And the warmth towards alma mater will generate in geometric proportions and will create an air of anticipation for succeeding homecomings.

So, this Friday whether at the homecoming parade, the football game or the homecoming dance, I encourage you to enjoy and completely absorb the warmth of an event which has a finite number of recurrences – an event in which every alum has an equal role and which will reinforce the feeling of being a part of something which will be permanent for the rest of your life.

GO BLUE!