Friday, September 26, 2014

Homecoming 2014: Red Raider Legacy

It's the eve before my High School Alma Mater's homecoming. It is absolutely my favorite event at my Alma Mater. Since my dear friend and classmate became the Student Activities Coordinator, I have volunteered many hours in assisting him with the social events at the school. For the last couple of years I have done the portraits for the Homecoming Court and I'm preparing to do it again this year. This time around though, I'm going to attempt to make it a fun event and help the kids loosen up BEFORE we do the actual photo shoot.

The theme this year is Welcome to the Jungle. I have no idea what the inspiration is behind the theme choice but the students and alumni really got into it. Perhaps its because our opponent is the Leilehua Mules. One of the most cherished activities is the homecoming cheer fest. Every class gets together and choreographs a cheer and dance. They practice for weeks. It's a cheer competition between the classes, pep rally style. The entire community comes out to watch it on the Football Field. This video features the alumni this year.

 

We are truly proud of our high school alma mater and the ties we all have to each other. We have a really good time. Many alumni help each class with their cheer and their choreography. The prize is bragging rights. Even now, we talk trash about the types of costumes that other classes used during our high school years.

I think the Seniors should have won this year but they placed third. There's a very strict judging and penalty criteria involved in selecting the winner; from staying within the time parameters to not using vulgar words or dance moves. The winner truly gains major bragging rights until the end of time. It's that serious! Here are the seniors. They did so good!


So as I gather my thoughts for my photo shoot tomorrow, I look back at all the tradition we have carried throughout the years. I will remind my little homecoming court about tradition and legacy, about courage, about loving self, about having fun, and mostly about choosing to be happy. Let's do this young raiders!