MARINE CORPS AIR STATION IWAKUNI, Japan -- Matthew C. Perry Intermediate and High Schools hosted a week-long homecoming for the children here from Oct. 1 through Oct. 7.
Children who come from military families are not always offered the same opportunities that non-military children are offered.
“It’s important that the kids have a homecoming experience, even though they are over five or six thousand miles from their homes, we have a little home coming, Iwakuni-style here,” said Morgan A. Nugent, principal of M. C. Perry Intermediate and High Schools.
The purpose of homecoming is to give the youth school spirit and an experience they won’t forget, no matter what the size is.
“A lot of homecomings have big floats and giant crowds of alumni associations, well we don’t have that, but we make it our own and give it some Iwakuni style,” said Nugent.
Homecoming week might have been smaller compared to some schools back in the states but there were a lot of events that took place.
This week has been filled with nothing but fun and crazy themes and activities that the children actively participate in, said Nugent.
The children dressed up each day in different themes to show their school spirit.
“Friday was Class Color Day, every class had a different shirt to show when they’re graduating. Then on Thursday, it was Theme Day, so the children would dress up in their class theme, such as Caesars palace," said Samantha B. Inzunza, senior class president.
Every grade had a different theme to represent their grade, but they all dealt with the main theme of Las Vegas.
“(Seniors) got Caesars palace as a class theme,” said Inzunza. “Juniors got The Hard Rock Café, and sophomores got Treasure Island.”
Some of the other themes included Paris for freshman, New York, New York for 8th-graders and 7th-graders got a Circus, Circus theme.
“We have all been competing to show which grade has the most school spirit by dressing up all week long as super heroes, sports teams or even just our class themes,” said Danielle F. Rosales, an M.C. Perry junior.
The main event of the homecoming week was a Homecoming Dance Saturday, Oct. 7.
“The dance was so much fun, there was food and a live (Disc Jockey) and everyone was dancing and having a great time,” said Rosales.
Many children had fun at the Homecoming Dance, but the week packed with events made it a real experience.
“It was a really good opportunity for our kids to have fun here in Iwakuni,” said Nugent.
The event was put together to try and give the children of M. C. Perry an experience which most kids back in the states have already.
“We want to celebrate and enjoy this moment and make sure they all have this memory 20 years from now,” said Nugent.