Springfield Township High School celebrated homecoming from September 22 to the 26th. Student Council coordinated the spirit activities through the week, ending with the pep rally, Spartan Kickoff, the football game, and the dance on Saturday, September 27th.
Senior and Student Council leader, Will McLaughlin, explains how “[they] created the themes for spirit week, planned out each game at the pep rally, and ran those games [to] build excitement and school spirit.”
Homecoming Week
The week started with various themes encouraging students to dress up for each day. The week led off with three fun themes: Blue and Steel day, Philly sports gear day, and a wear your Halloween costume to school day. Finally, on Friday, the school spirit was on full display as everyone participated in the White Out.
While this was all going on, a school-wide rock-paper-scissors tournament also happened. Student Council handed out beads to each student at the start of the week to encourage some friendly competition. McLaughlin says “[they] had great success in student participation last year and it led to a lot of fun at the pep rally, so [they] wanted to implement it again.” To play, a student challenged another student, and upon winning, they claimed all of the other student’s beads. This game was not just a game for some, as Student Council Leader Patrick Schugsta says, “I’ve never seen people take something more seriously.”
Pep Rally
Friday is where the Spartan Spirit was on full blast with the students’ anticipation on an all-time high. The pep rally began with the different fall sports teams entering to the beat of the pep band and being introduced and recognized for their accomplishments. As if that isn’t enough excitement, the different grades then competed in games, races, pool noodle combat, and musical chairs, amongst many throughout the pep rally. Schugsta marvels at how “competitive and loud everyone was.”
Spartan Kickoff
The Spartan Kickoff, previously known as the Tailgate, was where students from clubs and teams set up tables to sell goods or promote their club. This event happened from 4:30 to 6:30 pm and was full of fun things to do and eat.
Some fan favorites included the Thespian table where they were selling slime to promote their upcoming show Radium Girls, while Retina was selling “really delicious brownies” says senior, Sofia Clewis.
Not just were goods being sold, but the National Art Honors Society drew portraits of people and Youth and Government got into the full Spartan spirit with face painting.
The Homecoming Game
Freshman, Colin Shane was “super excited for [his] first Homecoming game as a high school student.” On the other hand, senior Adam Thorpe, says how he’s “sad that it’s already [his] last game, but [he] wants to make it the best one yet.”
The game kicked off with the student section throwing baby powder into the dark night sky. The students section erupted in cheers and the sounds of the pep band were heard all throughout the stadium.
During halftime, students honored and celebrated the senior homecoming court in a ceremony culminating in the announcement of Will McLaughlin and Nell Matthews as the winners.
Once the game ended, another Homecoming game was in the books. McLaughlin ends it off by saying, “it was an amazing last homecoming that will always be one of [his] favorite Springfield memories.”
