Homecoming: Then and Now

(Stories from the Millstream)

Homecoming was initially begun so that NHS alumni could come back to the Mill and reminisce with other alumni that had also returned for the big game. Yet, many students will tell you Homecoming is about school spirit and class rivalry.

"I'm a Noblesville grad, and Homecoming has been a long standing tradition. It surprises me how competitive and serious that the students take the Powder Puff game and the activities around Homecoming. The rivalry increases more and more as the years go - that has definitely changed," said Peggy Adams, office secretary and Class of 1972.

"Homecoming is a time to have fun and show school spirit. It's also a time where each class comes together and competes against each other," said Megan, a junior.

"It is a great time to express yourself and show your hidden school spirit," said Megan, a sophomore.

This year, for Homecoming 2000, the traditional class shirts are back again. One difference from the past years is that this the shirts are
pre-ordered so that everyone receives a shirt who wants one that is the right size and that there are no extra shirts.

This year the theme is "The Big Game." The student government brainstorms ideas, talks to fellow classmates, and takes a "majority rules" vote on the theme. Each class also has a theme: freshmen, "Candyland;" sophomores, "Battleship;" juniors, "Mouse Trap;" seniors, "Monopoly;" and faculty, "Operation."

"We had a huge bonfire the Thursday before the game. The coaches and players all made speeches to the crowds like a pep rally," said Adams.

"We decorated windows in the downtown stores and shops. Each class picked a window and decorated them with school colors and things relating to the school," said Sandy Sears, administrative support staff and class of 1979.

There are spirit days when students follow a theme for the day to show their support for their school and theme. A committee of students meets together to decide on themes for each day of the week before homecoming. They brainstorm about the days where participation was the greatest, and then bring those days back and decide whether or not to use the ones that got little response in past years.

On Monday, students can participate in Twin Day, a new theme where each student chooses a friend(s) and dresses like him or her. Tuesday is the ever-popular Hawaiian Day. Go back to the 80's and wear your Powder Puff attire on 80's/Powder Puff Day Wednesday. Everyone can sleep in late with Pajama Day/Hat Day on Thursday. Then, show your school spirit with the Miller colors and Class T-shirt Day on Friday.

The Homecoming Dance has been a timeless tradition. This year, September 15, 2000, marked the first time that the Homecoming nominations were made by placing a nominee's name in a box instead of the usual list upon which people would openly nominate and would cross names off. On September 21, students voted for freshman, sophomore, and junior prince and princess. Homecoming King and Queen were voted on on the 29th.

The dance was on September 30. According to Robyn, Student Body Secretary, the dance is semi-formal and students should not spend a lot of money on their attire for this dance. Unlike last year, the colors are black and gold rather than black and yellow.

Mini-Olympics is a time for the class rivalry to shine when event such as the tug-o-war, bat spin, various relay races, and other games begin. The Student Government hopes that Mini-Olympics will become more organized this year causing more people to want to sign up; they believe this will encourage more than just the same people to participate in each event. The Games take place on the last half of the day on the Friday of Homecoming at Swanson Field where each class is a team. The Mini-Olympics is used to bring Spirit Week to a close and to build up school spirit for Homecoming, "The Big Game," later in the night.

Full of floats for classes and clubs, the marching band, the cheerleaders, and the sports teams, the parade takes place on the same day as Mini-Olympics after school. In accordance with class T-shirts, the class floats are a picture version of the words on the backs of the shirts. A committee from each class designs and builds the float the week of October 2nd; however, anyone who wants to help build the floats can.

The freshman and sophomores are building their floats in the bus barn. Because of past events, the juniors and seniors are no longer building their floats in the bus barn. The juniors are using the scene shop for the construction of their float. Although building the floats in such a short amount of time (the week of the game) is not always an easy task, those who have participated agree that it is worth it.

"Having a float for each class definitely increases class rivalry. It is a big deal to win especially when you beat seniors. It is also a chance for each class to get together, work together, and to have a great time. It also feel really good when you finish, and win," said Barbara, Junior Class Secretary.

"All of the organizations at the high school made floats. There were usually 16 to 20 or more floats each parade. Students were involved much more," said Mrs. Sherri Snyder, English teacher who was in the class of 1963 at NHS.

The floats are usually judged by a panel of teachers and/or people from the community who judge them on creativity, design, and how well they relate to the class theme.

"In 1971, my senior year, our class built a huge rabbit (Thumper from the Disney film). After working all Thursday night to finish, we finished by putting on the finishing touch: long ears. Every electric and phone line the parade route passed off went more chunks of pomp until ol' Thumper wasn't a rabbit anymore. We lost," said Mr. Tom Knotts, history.

The student body representatives hope that overall students will have fun and participate in everything that they can. Homecoming may not always bring back all past NHSers, but it increases the school spirit among the current students and faculty who will remember Homecoming 2000 when they are NHS alumni.




Senior Cords: Behind the Pockets

Did you know that senior cords were once made out of corduroy? Did you also know that the have been a timeless tradition originating from around the 1940's or 50's? Senior cords were a cream colored corduroy skirts for the girls and pants for the boys. They were only found in a few stores in Noblesville.

Senior cords have and still are for the seniors to get noticed in the hallways on the day of the Homecoming game. Yet, in the beginning of senior cords, the seniors wore their cords to all of the games, every Friday, and said "senior leader" on the bottom. They were a part of a senior's wardrobe. However, what has gone on the cords has passed the test of time.

"My senior cords had 'senior leader,' had the high school sororities that I was involved in, inside jokes, places I had been, and my National Honor Society pin. We also put our nicknames on the bottom-mine was Aubrey a comic book character. Mr. [Bill] Kenley's mom drew what we wanted on them and then we would paint them," said Cathie Plecker, Class of 1963. She is also secretary to Mr. Tony Cook, principal. Bill Kenley is now an English teacher at NHS.

Mrs. Sherri Snyder (also class of 1963), English, remembers the senior cords parties with Kenley's mom.

"My senior cords were colorful and my best friend, Mr. Kenley's mom, would draw them and we would paint them with her special paints at senior cord parties," said Snyder.

Senior cords have always been a chance to reflect back upon high school memories and to spend some time with your friends remembering before you march into "Pomp and Circumstance."

Many students of the graduating class of 2001 will put things on their senior cords like the things that the graduating class of 1963 had on their cords. The longest lasting tradition is that of putting your name or nickname on the back.

"I did them because it is a Noblesville tradition. I put a few inside jokes on them and my favorite high school activities. I also made them with some friends so that would add to the memories," said Susan, a senior.

"They are something to look back on and remember high school. It brings things to a close," said Robyn, a senior.