Homecoming Highlights: Cherishing the Old, Embracing the New

Story By Izabel Lopez

Homecoming week was busy and full of fun activities for the whole community to attend, many of which brought nostalgic memories to members of the community.   

  This last week was jam packed with all kinds of exciting Homecoming festivities. We kicked off the Homecoming activities with Powder Puff which seemed to be a success all around. This year, we revived a beloved tradition at Wellington-Napoleon. There was a parade held on Wednesday followed by a community pep rally to get everyone excited for the big game on Friday. The Wellington-Napoleon community definitely showed up as the roads were lined with people from all over town. There were several floats, including unique class and sports floats of all ages, and we can’t forget our Homecoming candidates riding in style.

The community pep rally followed right after the parade and had just as many people in attendance. These traditions resonate deeply with many Wellington alumni, as they have been cherished by past classes for years. To gain insight into the significance of these traditions, I spoke with a local educator and alumni Mrs. Kirchoff. Mrs. Kirchoff stated that the parade made her reminisce about her high school homecoming and she’s glad we decided to bring it back this year. 

Mrs. Kirchoff noted that the only difference from her time is that floats used to be displayed on the practice field during the Friday night football game for everyone to see. When I asked her about her favorite memory from Homecoming, she responded, “Building floats was my favorite part because of the collaboration; it was always a great bonding experience with my classmates.” 

Homecoming weeks continue to remind us of the strong bonds within the Wellington-Napoleon community, bringing excitement and memories to all. Celebrating these traditions has created lasting memories that have connected many generations.