Homecoming: An event since the dawn of time

Homecoming has been around for decades. It is a tradition that is celebrated in almost every school across the nation, and is a time when students and alumni show the most support for their school.


Homecoming started out as more than just a big football game. It was about bringing alumni, students and others, together as a community, to support making their school the best.

The first real homecoming tradition according to the Rod Library and the University of Illinois Archives was held October 14-15, 1910 at the University of Illinois. Most of the homecoming events only consisted of alumni returning to the school, and it wasn't until the football game between the University of Illinois and the University of Chicago that the real Homecoming tradition started.

But over the years, Homecoming grew into a more spectacular event. Homecoming was soon accepted into High Schools and later even Junior Highs. With this growth of homecoming across the nation, the traditions grew, and homecoming became a regular celebration.

The homecoming traditions here at Judge do reflect those that have been passed on through the generations.

A quote by William Somerset Maugham says, "Tradition is a guide and not a jailer." This quote fits the history of homecoming perfectly because over the years homecoming has been a tradition and has evolved. Now Homecoming involves not only a football game, but also a dance, and to many colleges, and universities, consists of parades, tailgate parties, and more.
To Judge, homecoming has become a way to celebrate the start of the school year. It allows new students to learn about the community at Judge, and offers an opportunity to meet new people.

During Homecoming week a different activity is planned for the students to participate in. On the last day of the week, a pep rally is held to motivate the students for the football game, where Homecoming royalty is announced. Although it used to be a beauty contest only for girls, it later included boys too and the titles King and Queen were given. At Judge they are elected by the students, and are meant to be role models who help out their Judge and neighborly communities.

So this year when you think about who to ask to homecoming or whether or not you should participate in the weekly activities, or even at the pep rally, remember that you're not only participating for Judges homecoming, but also in the tradition of all of the homecomings in the decades past, and hopefully raising the bar for our future homecoming celebrations.

-by Luigi Lollini