Schools have been hosting homecoming since the 20th century to welcome back their students, but it’s become much more than a welcome-back party. BVHS recently hosted homecoming for students on October 10th, 2025, and has been hosting it for years, set up by Ms. Lia and VFZ, also known as Violence Free Zone, to engage students in participating in school activities.
Homecoming was created to welcome back alumni to their alma mater for a celebration of spirit. It originally started with universities in the 20th century, such as the University of Missouri and the University of Illinois, and expanded to high schools during the 1920s-1930s, during which the schools created their own festivities centered around their school pride. Homecoming was created to build a sense of community and school spirit by reconnecting returning students, creating lasting memories, and helping them develop social skills.
“More people should come to interact with other students and make a lot of memories.” – Ms Leah Moe, head of VFZ.
For planning, first VFZ has the students of BVHS vote for the days of spirit week, such as pajama day, 2000s day, twin day, etc. Next, students nominate themselves for homecoming king, queen, or the court, in which three males and females from each of the four grades are needed, with one male and female from grades freshmen to juniors to make up the court, and one senior male and one senior female for king and queen. Sometimes nominations are a challenge for VFZ due to eligibility and the number of students nominating. During this year’s homecoming, a total of 197 students attended homecoming, resulting in roughly $3,940 earned from Monday, October 6th, to Friday, October 10th.
Isah Furr, Co-writer and senior at BVHS, interviewed Senior Emerald Joiner, “I decided to go to homecoming so that I could have fun with my friends, especially because it’s our senior year… It is our last year in high school, so we may as well go. Might as well try everything, better to regret going than just do nothing. On a scale from 1 to 10, enjoyment-wise, I would say 7. I enjoyed it, and we didn’t have to bring money for food this time, but there were way fewer people.”
Emerald then went on about her favorite memories she had at the homecoming dance.“I suppose when my two friends did the spinning photo thing. That, and I suppose dancing and talking to people were nice. I also learned new music that I definitely want to remember. I learned that I like line dancing and country music, who knew.”
Homecoming is filled with so many memories from every grade level, from Freshmen to Seniors. Ticket prices might’ve been high, but it’s for a good reason. Ticket prices are high so students can get both food and a drink, so nobody will feel left out. The prices of the tickets didn’t stop most people this school year. Lines of students crowded around the ticket-selling table, eagerly buying tickets. Not only to buy tickets, but to cast their ballot for homecoming king and queen. Homecoming is a can’t-miss tradition at BVHS, filled with memories for students from freshmen to seniors.
