graphic by Isabelle Srodulski
Leadership has planned a Homecoming week that is jam-packed with fun!
Homecoming week is here! This year’s homecoming is themed after Ancient Greece. While planning this year came with new challenges and advantages, student leadership and administration have worked hard to create a week that all students can get excited about.
During Homecoming week there will be a lot of exhilarating activities. From the creative spirit week dress-up days to the competitive energy on the field, there is a way for every student to get involved. After school on Monday, September 14th, the TJ Bonfire will be held from 6:30-8 pm. The themes of the spirit week will be Olympics, Gods vs Goddesses, Tourist Day, Greek Life and TJ Day. Along with these themed dress up days, Leadership is also planning to hold events during both 4th and 5th period lunch. These include kickball on Monday, a volleyball competition on Tuesday, college games such as cup pong and hacky sack on Thursday, and a scavenger hunt correlating with Tourist Day. There will be a combined 4th and 5th period lunch on Friday. Friday will have a pep rally, after which the Powerpuff Game and tailgate will be hosted at TJ. The dance will take place on Saturday at TJ from 8:00-10:30 p.m., and tickets can be purchased throughout the week – $15 for singles and $20 for doubles.
TJ is known for its diverse community, so the events are tailored to include as many people as possible. This year, TJ students have gone above and beyond to support their fellow classmates.The community will come together for a wide variety of exciting events this week. TJ’s sports serve as the ultimate bridge for community participation. TJ has a legacy of going all out for athletic teams. Two weeks ago some students brought a giant drum to the games to express their support, while others simply showed up to games with overflowing excitement. TJ Leadership and administration work as hard as possible behind the scenes to make every event new and interesting.
Underclassmen can also engage in homecoming week festivities. To ensure that underclassmen who don’t drive yet can get involved, the school will have a spirit bus to take students to the homecoming game. “Mom and dad are at work or students might normally take the bus, so we want to provide that opportunity for them to get down there,” explained Assistant Principal Jon Poole. The ride will be free, but students should buy their ticket to the homecoming game in advance to show the bus driver.
This year, TJ’s homecoming week arrived much earlier than expected, as it is only three weeks after school started. The homecoming date is typically decided by Athletic Director Anne Rice, based on the sports schedule. Factors that are taken into account are where games are supposed to be located, expected weather, and opponent. Tradition is emphasized throughout all of Homecoming week, but this year was different for Leadership. This is the first year that the beloved counselor Erin Thompson is not around for Homecoming, and Leadership is adjusting. Because of the foundation that Thompson set up, Leadership has been able to pull this off quite smoothly even in her absence.
As for planning the Homecoming week events, the theme of ancient Greece was chosen almost unanimously by the leadership class. The themes of the spirit days are related to the theme of the dance, creating cohesion. AVID and Leadership teacher Elizabeth Lynch likes how this year’s theme is “concrete…it is easy and that connects to the school at large.” When deciding this year’s spirit day themes, Leadership had only one day to pick, as opposed to the usual five. This meant that the themes had to be chosen very quickly, but it also meant the leadership group was able to decide on themes with very little conflict.
Despite the differences this year, TJ’s homecoming is going to be as fun as ever. Spartans are given plenty of chances to engage with the community, no matter their grade or interests. Let’s make it another Homecoming to remember, TJ!
