COVID-19 Alters Homecoming Traditions at Standley Lake

Standley Lake students experience a post-Covid Homecoming for the first time in over a year.

Iconic movies like High School Musical and Grease manufacture unrealistic expectations of school dances for many high school students. While Juniors and Seniors have gotten a chance to attend a pre-Covid Homecoming, Freshmen and Sophomores have not been so fortunate. For many underclassmen, watching movies and shows like these have been the closest experience to a high school dance they have come to. Despite the struggles of COVID-19, Standley Lake High School held Homecoming, with a few adjustments due to the virus. Expectations were high, as this is the first homecoming since the pandemic started.

This year's Homecoming was different compared to previous years, as no guests outside of Standley Lake could attend and every student and staff member was required to wear a mask. Although the school took many precautions, some students were still wary of getting sick.

“It is a little stressful how there will be a lot of people in the gym,” says Ezzah Rauf ‘24.

Other students were just excited to have the opportunity to attend a school dance, despite the modifications.

Helena Micheals ‘24 says, “I think it will still be fun, I don’t really mind wearing masks.”

Standley Lake alumni Ms. Hayashi and Ms. Seiler have experienced homecoming traditions and events way before COVID-19. Now that they are teachers, they see the many changes that this year's homecoming has brought compared to their own experiences as former students.

“The biggest thing that has impacted homecoming traditions is that a lot of kids haven’t gone to homecoming yet, and they don't know what to expect, and there isn’t enough excitement because they haven’t been taught what it looks like,” says Ms. Seiler.

Ms. Hayashi pointed out another difference between this year and previous years.

“There used to always be a drumline that would go through the school every day,” she says.

Regardless of new requirements, many students remained excited about every aspect of Homecoming Week.

“I’m probably most excited about going to the football game,” says Megan Michalicek ‘24.

Bismarck Campos ‘23 says, “I like the event and in general how people are able to gather around and just listen to music and stuff like that.”

Students and teachers alike were excited about the revival of Homecoming Week and all of its traditions. Although the pandemic generated a new set of rules at the dance, Standley Lake High School nevertheless created a fun and safe environment for students and staff at this year's homecoming.

Stella Abernethy | Alexis Chavez | Amber Mackenzie-Lankford | Kiana Miska | Zahraa Rahim | Alyssa Romero | SanQuinn Turner | Katherine Warnaka |