MARINE CORPS AIR STATION IWAKUNI, Japan -- Homecoming is a time-old tradition for high schools, colleges and universities all across America. Normally held in September or October, homecoming brings the current student body and alumni together, joining to support their team in their final home game of the season. But homecoming is much more than just a basketball game. It’s about school spirit, getting the students’ minds temporarily off academics and recognizing the seniors for their hard work.
And what better way to get your mind off academics and support your school than spirit week? Matthew C. Perry High School celebrated their spirit week Jan. 11-15, and they were allowed to dress to a different theme each day – Color Splash Day, Hobo Day, Superhero Day, School Colors Day and Class Color Day.
Each morning, the classes were judged and awarded points based on participation. The seniors earned the most points for Hobo Day and Class Color Day. The sophomores took the top for Superhero day, and the 8th grade took first for School Colors Day.
The juniors and 8th grade tied for best hall decorations. However, the competition between the classes didn’t stop there. The juniors took first place in the float competition after countless hours of decorating their golf cart for M.C. Perry’s first-ever homecoming parade, and the 8th grade had the best class banner.
“(Homecoming) is a period where we celebrate the basketball season, and we have a senior dedication for the seniors,” said Jordan Young, a 12th-grade Samurai basketball player. “I think it motivates our school and shows school spirit by getting people together.”
Since the basketball players were going to get all the fame and glory at the homecoming game Saturday, the females in each class got to put together a team and show their skills in a Powder Puff Football game Jan. 13. The 8th grade took first place, and tied for points were the freshman, sophomores and juniors. The seniors fell in behind them, and the 7th grade took last place.
One of the biggest traditions of homecoming, other than the actual game, is the bon fire in which the students join to throw items emblematic of the rival school into a controlled fire for good luck. Unfortunately, the bon fire was cancelled due to high winds.
To wrap up the school week and keep the festivities rolling, the students and faculty battled it out in dodgeball, knockout and tug-o-war at the pep rally Jan. 15. The junior class won dodgeball and tug-o-war, but the 7th graders won knockout.
To everyone’s surprise, 8th grade came out with the most overall homecoming points, proving they were a force to be reckoned with.
Immediately following the pep rally was the homecoming parade. The band played music while the cheerleaders chanted to get the bystanders pumped up. The Marine Corps Junior Reserve Officers’ Training Corps color guard, the three-time Far East JROTC champions, presented the American flag proudly while the other JROTC members marched behind them.
The first game against the Zama American High School Trojans was only a matter of hours away. The crowd gathered to support their team, cheering and chanting to motivate the players. Both the Samurai boys and girls lost to the Trojans, but it wasn’t over yet. Their actual homecoming game wasn’t until the next morning and that gave the players plenty of time to rest and develop a game-winning strategy.
“It doesn’t matter whether we win or lose the game, as long as we have school spirit,” said Patricia Mojica, a 10th-grade Samurai cheerleader.
The crowd gathered once again Saturday to cheer on their team in the final games. The senior players were announced prior to taking the court, a momentous occasion for them whereas it would be their last time ever playing on their home court.
The boys won 64-52, but the girls lost 53-38 in double overtime after a vigorously fought game.
“I feel kind of relieved and sad at the same time (that the season is over) because I like to travel, but no more sprints, so that’s good,” said Young.
To celebrate the end of the basketball season, a homecoming dance was held at Club Iwakuni. The students danced the night away and the homecoming court was announced. The nominees were called to the stage and introduced.
After what seemed like days, the winners were announced – Michael Cheaney was the homecoming king and Meredith Brown was his queen. They took their first dance together as king and queen, but before the song had come to an end, the rest of the students flooded the dance floor.
It was a very long and exciting week for M.C. Perry High School, but the festivities joined the student body together and gave them a much needed break from the stresses of school.