On Saturday, Sep. 12, the Stuart Hall Knights kicked off Homecoming week at Kezar Stadium. The game started at 5:30 p.m., ending around 8:30 p.m. after a strong showing from the Knights. The night ended with young fans asking the players to autograph Homecoming photographs of the team.
“I went early to the game to set up the Homecoming decorations, but so many people volunteered to help, at the start and end of the game, that the work went by so quickly,” Senior and Vice-President of Athletics Fiona Brentani said. “Even though the Knights unfortunately lost, it was one of the most entertaining games we have had in a while,”
At the Homecoming football game, fans could enjoy many activities. Activities included a tote bag giveaway, face painting, bracelet making, and food trucks. During halftime, 7th-grade girls and members of the High School’s student council went up to the front to throw Homecoming shirts to the audience.
“My favorite Spirit Day is a tie between Pajama day and Tropical; you can really see people’s personalities come out,” Chemistry teacher Ellery Jones said. “I am also very excited for the volleyball game, it is always exciting to have a triple header, especially for frosh-soph and JV, it is so fun to have such a huge turn up,”
Homecoming games trace back to the early 1900’s, when Baylor University hosted the first official college “homecoming” football game, including a band concert, pep rally, bonfire, and parade. The original purpose was to invite back alumni to their alma mater with the purpose of reconnecting with friends and creating school spirit. Since then, the tradition has spread to high schools across the United States to build community and school pride, according to ACTIVE.
“I think it is really cool that each student gets to express themselves uniquely while as a school, we are also in theme,” Sophomore Kara Wong said. “My favorite spirit day would probably be pajama day because it is the most comfortable day,”
This year, Convent and Stuart Hall’s Spirit Day themes are Pajama Day, Jersey Day, Tropical Day, Mismatch Day, and School Spirit Day. Spirit Week has been a longstanding tradition that leads up to the Homecoming Dance. It allows the student body to express their creativity and brings the community together by doing so.
“There were also so many other forms of entertainment up top, so it was very nice to see how excited all the fans were to both watch the game and just be in the environment,” Brentani said. “The energy was there; we had good weather; it was definitely a memorable Homecoming football game.”
