Homecoming in a New Era
The leadership class adapts the age-old tradition to pandemic times
By Joelle Gendzel
The leadership class adapts the age-old tradition to pandemic times
By Joelle Gendzel
With COVID-19 and the switch to distance learning, fall semester has been full of changes for the Pioneer community. That’s why the leadership class remained intent on holding a homecoming week, despite being away from campus.
Virtual homecoming, held the week of Oct. 19, involved a week of virtual spirit days centered around the Disney-based theme of “Once Upon a Homecoming,” building up to the rally video which named this year’s Homecoming Royalty and showcased skits from each class on Friday.
With the goal of increasing student participation and inclusivity in homecoming, leadership made some additional change by choosing this year’s homecoming court without gender-specific roles. Winners were recognized as Mustang Royalty, instead of earning the king/queen or prince/princess titles.
“We want to be more inclusive, have our school culture be more inclusive and open, so we're challenging the ideas of tradition and moving as our culture and society is changing. We want to reflect that as well” said leadership adviser Alisabeth Bacon.
In addition to removing gendered nominations, changes were made to the process of nominating seniors itself. Student nominations were counted as a vote towards each potential nominee while teacher nominations were counted as three, in an effort to refocus the royalty processes on students who best exhibit the Mustang Way as opposed to being more popular.
“We wanted to be inclusive for everyone so everyone could have an equal chance” said leadership student Sarayu Praturu, 9.
One of the Mustang Royalty winners, Shawheen Ghezavat, 12, said knowing his classmates and teachers voted him into the position gave him a deeper sense of belonging in the school community.
“It felt really good seeing how many people actually care about me and it was just a really fulfilling experience” said Ghezavat.
Holding a virtual homecoming despite the unique circumstances this year was especially important as a way to build community. Activities Director Michelle Mayhew felt strongly that students needed a little something extra this year to feel connected without being able to physically come together.
“We still want students to feel a part of Pioneer,” said Mayhew. “It’s so hard being at home and having that disconnect from school and not having all those events and not being able to get there and go to a football game or attend a class meeting or have that social interaction with your fellow classmates.”
With fall semester already lacking many school events due to COVID19, leadership recognized it was especially important to maximize student participation in virtual homecoming week. Bacon focused on making spirit days accessible for all students.
“It’s nerve racking when you’re here in person to show up all out for a spirit day,” Bacon said. “Hopefully with spirit days being low risk and with things that people might already have in their closet like they don’t have to go out and buy anything.”
Despite the many experiences students have lost this semester as a result of distance learning, the leadership class was proud to put on an event that gave students some sense of normality. ASB President Minhtri Nguyen, 12, hopes students will regain a sense of identity with the school community and enjoy this year regardless of the unfortunate conditions.
“Our staff and leadership students are trying to normalize our situation and make this the best possible year we can despite all the COVID-19 conditions,” Nguyen said. “We’re going to make everyone feel more connected to the school.”
Virtual homecoming, held the week of Oct. 19, involved a week of virtual spirit days centered around the Disney-based theme of “Once Upon a Homecoming,” building up to the rally video which named this year’s Homecoming Royalty and showcased skits from each class on Friday.
With the goal of increasing student participation and inclusivity in homecoming, leadership made some additional change by choosing this year’s homecoming court without gender-specific roles. Winners were recognized as Mustang Royalty, instead of earning the king/queen or prince/princess titles.
“We want to be more inclusive, have our school culture be more inclusive and open, so we're challenging the ideas of tradition and moving as our culture and society is changing. We want to reflect that as well” said leadership adviser Alisabeth Bacon.
In addition to removing gendered nominations, changes were made to the process of nominating seniors itself. Student nominations were counted as a vote towards each potential nominee while teacher nominations were counted as three, in an effort to refocus the royalty processes on students who best exhibit the Mustang Way as opposed to being more popular.
“We wanted to be inclusive for everyone so everyone could have an equal chance” said leadership student Sarayu Praturu, 9.
One of the Mustang Royalty winners, Shawheen Ghezavat, 12, said knowing his classmates and teachers voted him into the position gave him a deeper sense of belonging in the school community.
“It felt really good seeing how many people actually care about me and it was just a really fulfilling experience” said Ghezavat.
Holding a virtual homecoming despite the unique circumstances this year was especially important as a way to build community. Activities Director Michelle Mayhew felt strongly that students needed a little something extra this year to feel connected without being able to physically come together.
“We still want students to feel a part of Pioneer,” said Mayhew. “It’s so hard being at home and having that disconnect from school and not having all those events and not being able to get there and go to a football game or attend a class meeting or have that social interaction with your fellow classmates.”
With fall semester already lacking many school events due to COVID19, leadership recognized it was especially important to maximize student participation in virtual homecoming week. Bacon focused on making spirit days accessible for all students.
“It’s nerve racking when you’re here in person to show up all out for a spirit day,” Bacon said. “Hopefully with spirit days being low risk and with things that people might already have in their closet like they don’t have to go out and buy anything.”
Despite the many experiences students have lost this semester as a result of distance learning, the leadership class was proud to put on an event that gave students some sense of normality. ASB President Minhtri Nguyen, 12, hopes students will regain a sense of identity with the school community and enjoy this year regardless of the unfortunate conditions.
“Our staff and leadership students are trying to normalize our situation and make this the best possible year we can despite all the COVID-19 conditions,” Nguyen said. “We’re going to make everyone feel more connected to the school.”