Homecoming Week vs Post Homecoming Week

The week of homecoming is always one of the most hyped-up weeks of the entire school year. Many people look forward to it, but what happens the week after? Sophomore Emma Winford said, “Before, everyone is looking forward to homecoming and the week because we get to have fun.” Afterward, everyone has a “very low-level energy.” 

Homecoming is a very fun time for the students at AHS, with activities like dodgeball, lunch games, the dance, and more. “The pep rally and watching dodgeball was my favorite part,” said Winford.

“During the week of homecoming, I always feel very happy and energetic. I am always excited about all the activities that we have going on during the week,” but, “after homecoming is over, I feel exhausted. I always feel drained and not ready to go to school on Monday,” said senior, and Homecoming Queen Rio Johnson. “The atmosphere of the school changes because people are very excited about homecoming and I think it puts everyone in a good mood. I also think that it makes everyone competitive because they want to win the spirit stick.”

According to an article by Recovery.org, after major events, many people “may feel somewhat of a letdown,” even if the event went well. It’s as if “feelings of loss or emptiness upon the return to “regular” life,” hit. Winford said, “I feel excited and full of energy,” during homecoming week. However, when she returned the week after, she felt ”very tired, bored, and I had no energy.”

There are so many ways to keep the energy going after homecoming, like “Finding ways to have fun activities throughout the week and encouraging people to go to volleyball games, football games, and games for sports coming up,” said Johnson. 

Students believe we could have more fun throughout the year, instead of having a couple of things to look forward to and feeling down once they’re over, such as “Having more grade vs grade, or school competitions,” said Winford, “but homecoming was fun, and I can’t wait for it to come around next year.”