West Chicago Community High School students will begin participating in Homecoming festivities starting the week of October 14.
Although temperatures are expected to drop this evening, students are invited to head out to Memorial Field with blankets and lawn chairs for Movie Night, where Disney’s “Tangled” will be displayed on the big screen at 7 p.m. Many students expressed that they would brave the cold to participate in this annual tradition. There will be snacks for sale, including those from the Kona Ice Truck.
“One awesome thing about Homecoming is the outstanding community involvement and student participation,” Student Council President Izzy Colburn said.
Spirit Week kicked off today as well. Themes, which coordinate with the “Once Upon a Time” idea, were selected by Student Council, and incude “You’ve Got a Friend in Me” (twinning), “Monsters University Day” (college sweatshirt day), class color day, and WEGO wear.
Yesterday’s boys’ soccer game marked the first of many activities, which will continue all week long. Girls’ volleyball played tonight at 5:30 p.m., and on Wednesday, BPA is hosting their annual dodgeball tournament at 6:00 p.m.
While no events are planned for Thursday, that scheduling is intentional to allow for a break before the number of events on Friday, Oct. 18, which include the pep assembly, Food Fest, parade, and powder puff game.
“I have heard that some teachers might be getting a pie to the face [at the pep assembly]. And [we’ll] potentially [have] some Aladdin and Moana appearances,” Elizabeth Mastroainni, sponsor of Pep Club, said.
While the main event is this year’s Homecoming football game against Riverside-Brookfield, which takes place Friday at 7:00 p.m., many students indicated they are most looking forward to this year’s “Once Upon a Time” themed Homecoming dance, which will take place on Oct. 19 from 7:00-10:00 p.m.
“I’m most excited to spend one last Homecoming with all of my friends and to just have fun and not worry about school,“ senior Abby Wing said.
The cost is $35 per person, and all the money goes back to supporting WEGO students and the event itself. According to adviser Jamie Garcia, Student Council covers costs like a talented DJ, photo booths, and decorations. To ensure they recoup what is spent, ticket prices are a bit higher. If there is any profit, it will go toward future events, like Prom.
“I don’t think a lot of people realize how much work is put into organizing these school events, and when the events run successfully, it is very rewarding,” Colburn said.
Student Council wants to create a memorable experience this Homecoming, and in an attempt to do so, they have hired a new DJ, who played in the cafeteria last week.
“We have a new DJ company that we’re using. This is a company that does the White Sox, Bulls, and Bears games,” Candace Fikis, sponsor for Student Council, said.
Students planning to bring a guest from another school should pick up a guest form from the Student Activities Center or the Dean’s Office. The form needs a signature from the guest’s school dean, so it is important to pick up the form as soon as possible.
All Homecoming Dance tickets must be purchased by 11:59 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 18. They cannot be bought at the doors. Tickets can be purchased online or at the bookstore.
“All this fundraising and all this expense, it comes back to the students,” Garcia said.
