Homecoming at Lakeside has always been a special time for students and teachers, but it has changed a lot over the years. From parades and old traditions to new activities like powder puff and spirit week themes, Homecoming has grown into something that really brings the school together. Teachers and alumni who once experienced it as students now get to see how much it has evolved and how it continues to create memories
Homecoming looked very different from when it started to now. In the past, Lakeside High School used to have a parade, but that’s not the case anymore. New traditions have been created to allow the school spirit to develop. The change of traditions can also be due to how social media has become more popular and how new trends have emerged. New traditions include spirit week, which involves fun themes every day of the week, powder puff games, and pep rallies that include different fun activities like musical chairs and fun cheers from the cheerleaders.
Mrs. Boggs is an alumnus of Lakeside and is now a teacher here. She remembers her high school years as fun and full of spirit. Her favorite Homecoming traditions are the homecoming dance and the Powder Puff games. In 2006, she initiated the Powder Puff games, which have become a tradition. The Powder Puff games are when the juniors and seniors go against each other in volleyball and flag football.
Now, as the SGA sponsor, Ms. Boggs enjoys giving back to the school that meant so much to her. She wants the students to feel proud about Lakeside just like how she does. For her, Homecoming is really more about school spirit and the community coming together.
Mr. Newsome, also an alumnus of Lakeside, and is now a math teacher here, said, “One of the years, I think my senior year, the theme was the circus, and I dressed up like a bearded lady in the homecoming parade.”
Ms Boggs also mentioned how she was part of the homecoming parade one year.
On the topic of the Homecoming parade, Dr. Stoddard mentioned that the parade was dropped for an unknown reason, but she did mention how hard it would be to get permission to have the parade. This shows how events have changed throughout the years.
Ms. Stephanopoulos, an assistant principal here at Lakeside, was interviewed. She stated, “More kids came, and it was a bit more diverse, they’re on the right track.”
Mr. Adams, another assistant principal at Lakeside, also stated something really similar: “A lot more non-English speaking kids started to come because they got more help buying tickets.”
This shows that Lakeside has just changed with the homecoming week events, but also with more diversity participating in the events.
Although homecoming at Lakeside has evolved from what it once was, it continues to unite students, staff, and alumni through lasting traditions and new celebrations. Whether it’s through powder puff games, pep rallies, or simply coming together to the big game. Homecoming remains a symbol of school pride and community. No matter how the events change, the meaning at Lakeside will always be about celebrating together as one.
