This weekend was the annual Herndon High School Homecoming.
For as long as I can remember, this has been a community event. I am a graduate of Herndon High and now I have a daughter there (the High School draws kids from both Herndon and Reston).The formula has not changed in the 30 years that I have watched this weekend take place. It is a combination of tradition, school spirit and a celebration of the community.
The whole week was Spirit Week at the high school, replete with daily dress-up assignments and a pre-game Pep Rally.
Friday Night was the annual Student Bonfire at the high school. This is the kick-off to the weekend festivities and, if I remember my own homecomings correctly, a newer (but not necessarily new) tradition.
Saturday Morning dawned bright and early for those of us who had children participating in the parade. This time it was my son and husband who play, and coach, for the Herndon Optimist Youth Football League. Besides the marching football players, the parade included floats from each high school class, including the middle school. The cheerleaders and the band were participants, along with the Princesses from each class in the requisite convertibles. The town sanitation department had 2 trucks decorated for the occasion in the parade, local politicians handed out candy, local Boy and Girl Scout troops marched, St. Josephs Catholic School Cheerleaders cheered, as did the HOYF Cheerleaders. The Herndon Middle School marching band played enthusiastically, the HHS Cadets marched and the HHS Dancing Team danced the parade route (I apologize if I left anyone off this list).
Saturday afternoon Herndon High played the Westfield Bulldogs—AND BEAT THEM (if you are from Northern Virginia, you recognize the significance of this. Westfield had not lost a regular season game since November 2006!).
I had 5 girls getting ready for the dance at my house late in the afternoon and then we went to 2 more houses for pictures. At the last house there was a marathon photo session for all of the kids and their families. It was crazy! The family then hosted a sit-down dinner for 30 kids. HHS Graduates from last year came home to attend the football game and pitched in to help serve the sit-down dinner.
This was the first time I was involved in the HHS Homecoming weekend in nearly 30 years. It reminded me of what a great community we live in and what a special place this is for our children to grow up.
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