Bronco Homecoming

There are many celebrations in history that have evolved over time and traditions that morph over different generations until no one knows anymore why they are participating in the rituals presented to them.

Homecoming is an interesting example of this time-sensitive tradition evolution, because while its activities have been added, translated, and dilated into different or new interpretations, they all are a variation of the same idea.

No matter what year it is, homecoming is designed to raise school spirit. At Lind-Ritzville High School, homecoming has been a student led tradition for many years, one that instigated many spirit-rallying activities and Bronco pride this past week.

Homecoming originated over a century ago and is celebrated at universities and high schools throughout the nation. Currently, the National College Athletic Association (NCAA) credits the University of Missouri with the first official homecoming celebration, 103 years ago.

The preexisting rivalry between University of Missouri and University of Kansas dated back to before the Civil War; however, tensions escalated in one 1911 football season. University of Missouri’s athletic director, Chester L. Brewer, wanted to increase competition between the two teams.

According to an article on the University of Missouri’s alumni website, Brewer decided “to make the rivalry more interesting, the University would invite alumni to ‘come home’ for the game.”

Although it is debated if Baylor University’s 1909 celebration of University of Illinois’ 1910 rivalry game should be considered the first ‘official’ event, homecoming became an American tradition by the 1920s.

Homecoming royalty were introduced by the 1930s.

Throughout the week, students at LRHS participated in several homecoming activities, coordinated by the Associated Student Body (ASB) council. Students prepared for the week by joining into graduating classes and decorating the hallways of the school in decade themes. Each day of the week, students were encouraged to participate in dress-up days to raise morale; this year’s topics included collegiate Monday, tacky Tuesday, western Wednesday, throwback Thursday, and red and black Friday. Daily activities at lunch included lover’s leap, “Muscle Man volleyball”, “Powder Puff football”, class videos, and for Friday’s football game an afternoon pep rally and later a homecoming dance.

Prior to the festivities, the students highly anticipated the week. LRHS student Sierra Kiel said, “I like dressing up because you get to know more about your classmates. I think spirit Friday is going to be a good [day] because everyone is going to go all out.”

Tessa Jantz, LRHS student and ASB activities coordinator, said she was most excited for the volleyball game, or spirit day, because “[the volleyball game] will be so much fun, and on a Tuesday there’s going to be a ton of people there. It will be super exciting, even more than most games.”

Student Harley Doney said he looked forward to everything: “I just love being a part of it.”

Homecoming is an exciting annual tradition at LRHS, one that has been celebrated many years and will continue on for many more.

The activities give the students pride to wear red and black and support Bronco athletics all season long!