Seniors are homing in on the last homecoming of their high school career. The last dance is approaching, and many seniors are preparing to make it their best one yet.
The high school experience is driven by homecoming. After missing out on their freshmen year, our senior class has been more than excited for homecoming every year since.
Students in all different classes, cliques and clubs get to group as a class for the homecoming game, dance and class competitions. Students come into a new school year instantly filled with anticipation and excitement for homecoming.
This is a sentimental time of year for students who want to embrace their years here at LHS. Students will walk into the auxiliary gym for the dance for the last time. The senior varsity football players will step onto the field and give it their all in front of parents and the student body for the last time.
Reilly Saxe is a varsity football player for the Hawks. He is a senior this year and preparing to give it his all at his last homecoming game.
“The atmosphere of the game is intoxicating,” Saxe said.
Saxe’s football career at LHS is critical to him. He plays his hardest and puts his all into the game whenever he walks onto the field. Saxe’s high school football career will end with the last homecoming game approaching.
Saxe has been waiting to graduate and move on for years, and that time has finally come.
Like most students, Saxe has opinions on how Homecoming has affected our high school experience.
“Hoco creates a lot of school pride, brings people together, and gets people to go to the games,” Saxe said.
Homecoming isn’t all about football, though. It takes so much work from each group within our school.
Jasmin Allen is a senior this year and our ASB Class President. She is running the show in the Student Council to ensure that seniors have a memorable last homecoming.
“I think there is a certain nostalgia to homecoming this year because I know this is my last one,” Allen said. “There’s nothing like homecoming in college.”
Allen’s favorite tradition is our class competition. She thinks it stands out because no other schools do anything like it. She believes it makes homecoming more fun and interactive, and it is greater than just a football game.
Not only is this Allen’s last homecoming as a senior, but it is also her last homecoming in student council. Being on student council makes this time of year stressful yet so rewarding.
“I think it’s exciting because it’s a combination of seeing the work put into it in Stuco and the end result everyone gets to enjoy,” Allen said. “The student body is left in the dark for certain things, and being in Stuco can help me look forward to things in a different way than the student body.”
Many may see homecoming as just another school dance, but it holds so much meaning for many students.
“I’ve gone to every homecoming that’s been available to me, and it’s really fun and a good way to start the year,” Allen said. “Not only the dance but all of the components to it.”
The members of the student council help show us how much goes into homecoming and how much student involvement there is.
Lincoln Wood, a senior and member of Hello Hawks, is also very excited about his senior homecoming.
“I’m sad that it’s my last Hoco, but I’m going with my closest guy friends, and we’re all matching in very charming suits,” said Wood.
Wood is one of the most spirited students at Lakeland High School. He is always involved and supportive. Wood loves traditions and the events we do here at LHS.
Allen is one of many seniors who has developed a favorite tradition or aspect of Hoco over the years. Wood, like many other students, has a favorite part as well.
Wood is lucky enough to be on the royalty court this year and be more involved in the parades. “I love the whole football game, it’s definitely my favorite part,” said Wood.
Gracie Kohoutek is a senior and nominee for the royalty court. Kohoutek is sad this is her last Hoco but excited to be moving on.
Being on Homecoming court is the dream for most high school girls.
“I’m so excited because being on Hoco court will be fun no matter what,” Kohoutek said.
We see so much student involvement during homecoming week. Every activity and sport has something to do.
Mia Marquez is a part of the cheer team at LHS. She is a senior this year and is not only walking away from her last homecoming dance, but it’s her last homecoming halftime show performance.
“The halftime show is fun because people can see more of what we do at competitions,” said Marquez.
Marquez is mostly sad for her last homecoming because it made her come to the realization she will not be performing for the school anymore.
The homecoming experience is different for everyone.
“It’s exciting because you get to see how other people are outside of the classroom and how they are at dances,” Marquez said.
High school is when we can have the most fun before the real world sacks us like a D-lineman—the memories we make and the experiences we share bring us closer to one another. The class of 2024 is preparing to walk across the stage to get their hard-earned diplomas, and step-by-step, memory by memory, they are growing up. Homecoming is their first step, their first last memory for senior year.
As we move through this week, our seniors can take in the last of their class competitions, their last homecoming football game and their last homecoming dance filled with bittersweet excitement.
