There’s no mistaking it: Homecoming Week, or “HOCO” as we’ve so affectionately dubbed it, is one of the most iconic weeks of school for any student in high school. It’s full of fun games, cool dress up days, pep rallies, class bonding, and a significantly reduced workload. Who wouldn’t like it?

As a senior, I’m starting to count my days, and the things I’ll miss. HOCO is definitely one of them. Usually, I don’t do a whole lot, not even this year. I’m not really one for dressing up (sue me), but I make sure to go with the theme of the day enough to earn some points for my class.

What makes me happy is seeing my friends and classmates go all out and encourage me and the rest of our class to do so as well. I even enjoy cheering in the class knowing my voice will get lost among the hundreds of other seniors yelling, too. I like watching the skits like everyone else, seeing freshmen, sophomores, juniors, and seniors hop around the gym with reckless abandon, and then watching the teachers’ amused reactions to our antics.

Usually, HOCO week is a lot of fun. I don’t think much of it and let it pass me by, because I can. However, of course this year was different. The same fun feelings mixed in with my best friend, nostalgia. It was the first time all year I realized I’d actually miss something from high school. But why?

For me, and maybe some of you guys as well, I don’t really think much of high school events because I know I have a whole life to live, which leads to me dismissing a lot of my time here. I know I probably shouldn’t do that, but it’s a bit late now .

But HOCO is just so shamelessly “high school” that even I get out of my own head to enjoy it. When Senior SGA planned our big entrance into the cafeteria on the last pep rally of the week, I had butterflies in my stomach. As I waited for the signal outside the gym with my friends, Isa Gallo and Melanie Scheel, I had a rush of adrenaline knowing everyone else was clueless. When it was our cue, me, in my meager green and gold outfit, ran like the wind around the gym with my glow sticks, even one in my casted, broken arm. It made me remember I was a teenager and I should enjoy that. I owe it to Senior SGA as something I won’t soon forget.

So what I’m trying to say is that even though Homecoming is always fun, the rush of your last one simply isn’t like the rest. I made sure I was really present for each important moment, and I joined in on as much class fun as I could handle. That’s why my senior Homecoming was important to me, not just because we always win! 😉