When Students Arrive
This year, homecoming is coming early to Hayes. The annual homecoming dance will take place in Cornell Stadium on September 9 from 7 p.m to 10 p.m.
To get into the dance, students must present their student ID and ticket before entering the bus loop entrance.
Once inside, students will be given a Hawaiian lei that goes with the beach-themed dance. Then, there will be activities to participate in.
Student council members Moria Lewis and Cadence Ford mentioned that one of the activities would feature free slushies for students to enjoy throughout the dance, as well as a photobooth and a limbo contest.
If students are planning to attend the dance, they must stay until 9:30 before they are allowed to leave.
Homecoming Week
The Hayes student council has come up with different ways to show school spirit the week of homecoming, such as decorating the Rowland Center.
“[The decorations] will provide the council with many opportunities to really bring excitement to the event,” Lewis said.
Students will not only see the Rowland Center decorated, but there will also be a spirit week that both students and administration can participate in, along with recognition of the homecoming court.
Homecoming court is something that the student body votes on. Students vote on who represents “PACER P.R.I.D.E.” values. These are students that show school spirit and go above and beyond to be kind and respectful individuals.
“There will be representatives from each grade,” student council member Cadence Ford said. “Then about 10 senior representatives”
Out of the 10 senior class attendees only 2 will be crowned homecoming royalty at the event.
“We will announce the court at the [house] rally,” Meyers said. “Then we will introduce them at the game like we did last year.”
The football game is an additional part of homecoming week. Past Hayes graduates watch the game and see the court introduced at halftime.
If students plan to sit in the student section at the homecoming game, they must make sure to come wearing orange and are prepared to switch to black at half time.
The Big Day
Before the dance, students often prepare in groups or individually, getting ready and taking pictures with enough time to have something to eat before the dance.
“I like dressing up and taking pictures with my friends,” junior Clara Brussel said. “The dance does not have to be the best part. There are so many other parts of homecoming to look forward to.”
When getting ready, students can do whatever makes them feel comfortable.
“I would recommend getting ready in a group,” Brussel said. “That way you are able to help eachother out.”
When students are done getting ready most students go to take pictures with friends.
“[The Ohio Wesleyan University] campus tends to be a pretty popular place to go,” senior Calvin Riggs said.
Before the dance, most groups go out to grab something to eat. This can include eating back at someone’s house or going out to a local restaurant.
“I recommend going to a nice restaurant after you get pictures,” Brussel said. “But make sure to make reservations in advance.”
Homecoming is drawing closer and closer every day, so it’s best to start preparing now. Even if students do not plan to stay the whole time, there are so many things which are part of the homecoming experience that aren’t just the dance. Students will go out to eat, get pictures taken with friends, and make unforgettable memories with the people closest to them.
