HOMECOMING HITS HARBORFIELDS

When it comes to Harborfields spirit, this week is probably going to be considered one of the most action-packed and eventful times out of the entire year. Students around the school are excited for the celebrations that are to come.

 This Saturday, Harborfields Football (1-5) is scheduled to play Miller Place (2-4) for it’s annual homecoming game. he game is starting at 1:00pm and is looking like it will be the most competitive game of the season for HF. .

The celebrations aren’t only limited to the weekend, for the entire week, from Monday through Friday, activities are scheduled that will prepare the whole school for the big game.

 Starting this Monday, the Student Governments of each grade have coordinated spirit days that have encouraged students to dress out of the box and be creative with their outfits. Monday and Tuesday were Pajama Day and America Day, Wednesday was Neon Day, Thursday was Class Shirt Day, and Friday was Green and White day. The school enjoys the spirit week a lot, and some people can go all out when it comes to what to wear.

 On Thursday Night, the school’s PTA spent hours after school meticulously decorating the cafeteria for the Homecoming Dance, which is scheduled to take place from 7-10pm that night. The theme for this year, which reflects the theme of the senior class’ float, is a luau. Almost 300 students last year jam packed the room for a night of dancing, celebration, and fun before the big game. The PTA also gives complimentary snacks, cookies, and drinks to the event so money to bring is not necessary for this event. The fee to enter, though, is $10. Tickets were sold at the Wall of Scholars throughout the week.

HF Students dancing up a storm at last year’s homecoming dance.

On Friday Morning, the HF carnival (Also taking a luau theme this year) will be set up outside the cafeteria during periods 3-8. There is no cost associated with this event, so no money is needed. Even in the case you may have a class, teachers tend to be very lenient about the event and let students out of class that day. In past years, there has been an inflatable obstacle course, face painting, live musical performances by HF bands, and cotton candy. Make sure to wear Hawaiian attire for the event! 

Even though the bell may ring at 2:20 to cap off the school week, that day’s celebrations are not over. Starting at 7:00, one of the school’s most regarded and popular events begins. The majority of the school’s 1,000 students pack into the gym for Pep Rally, a two hour-long event where student-athletes from the fall season are recognized.

Everyone from the school can come, even non- athletes

The general student section cheering on the athletes during last year’s Pep Rally. The event starts with speeches from Mr.Russo, Mr.Valente (The athletic Director at HF), and other coaches. Afterward, the homecoming king and queen nominees are brought into the gymnasium and told the results (The nomination system is based on one senior athlete, per team, per sport). 

Once the king and queen have been chosen sports begin to be called down. Usually, the first sports that are called are Gymnastics, Cheer, and Kickline due to a performance that follows their respective shoutouts.

The Kickline team just after a performance at last year’s pep rally

Soon enough, each sport gets called down with their respective athletes being named. The last sport to get called down is Varsity Football. All of their players get recognized one by one, and cheers erupt in the gym. Right after their naming, several captains of the team participate in one of the most suspenseful and fun events of the night, but that secret shouldn’t be spoiled. Once Football is over, the entire gym participates in games organized by staff and students. This year, Hungry Hungry Hippos and Students vs. Teachers volleyball is planned. It’s on a sign-up basis, where students can sign up in the cafeteria to participate. 

Overall, the whole event is a great time to have fun with friends and enjoy the school spirit. Junior Alex Cohen regards the atmosphere as  “Pretty crazy… there were a lot of things great about the night… Bud Santana’s performance was mind-blowing as well.”

The whole night is filled with HF spirit, from the decoration to the kids and even to the staff. For the whole night, it is guaranteed that you will be on top of your spirit and celebrating HF pride with your fellow students.

Afterward, the Pep Rally moves outside for the annual Bonfire, which is done on the basketball field. The fire department lights several wooden pallets on fire, which creates a massive flame which burns for minutes on end. While this is happening, students and the athletes can have a chance to socialize while eating snacks given by the school and enjoy Harborfields spirit.

As Friday turns to Saturday, the game festivities begin. In front of the library, each of the school’s classes sets up their float that they have been working on during the summer and makes their finishing touches before the parade. At noon, the homecoming parade begins at the library and traverses Broadway all the way down to the high school. As the parade comes down the road, the HF community is by its side, cheering on each and every float, the homecoming queen+king, and the marching band who performs as it walks down Broadway.

Finally, once the last float has stopped and the last piece of candy is thrown; Homecoming begins it’s game. This is supposed to be the most competitive game in the football season. Both teams are neck and neck in the standings, and they each have their own star players. No matter what the outcome of the game is, the game is bound to be great and the festivities that precede it set the mood well.