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Homecoming (2020)

Homecoming 2.0 - "It's So 2020"

Welcome to the special HOMECOMING edition of The Seahawk Times.
Normally, Hilton Head Island High School's Homecoming happens between September and October and is celebrated over the course of a week (spirit week). The Homecoming Court is recognized at a Pep Rally, with the Homecoming King and Queen announced at half time at a football game.
However, due to the COVID-19 pandemic and a later start to school this year, homecoming was post-posted until the week of December 14th 2020.
Homecoming is a very special week at HHIHS. This is a week where students and staff participate in spirit days, sporting events (this year basketball instead of football), Homecoming court, service projects, and so many other traditions.
To make "Homecoming 2.0" even more memorable this year, HHIHS is inviting the community to help us celebrate from a distance by reading, reflecting, and remembering the homecoming history and traditions at HHIHS that would occur during a normal school year, and celebrate all of the socially distant activities HHIHS was able to do this year.

History & Traditions of Homecoming in HHIHS

by Ellie Mastrorocco & Mary Elizabeth Vaccaro
We sat down with the principal, Mr. Schidrich, to explain the history of homecoming at Hilton Head Island High School. As long as he can remember, there has been a homecoming celebration every year at Hilton Head Island High School. He believes that the first homecoming at HHIHS was probably the year the high school opened in 1983. When asked about the origins of homecomings at HHIHS, Mr. Schidrich responded, “There is no single person who started it, it is more like an American tradition."
There are many homecoming traditions at Hilton Head Island High School. Homecoming week begins on Sunday when students decorate the hallways according to the themes of the week. Each grade level is responsible for a hallway, and a committee decides the best decorated hallway. During the week, students dress according to the themes of each day of the week. Some past themes are Rock versus Rap, Country versus Country Club, Superheroes vs. supervillians, sports teams, twin day and usually ending the week with a Spirit day on Friday. In the evenings during the homecoming week, the girls Powder Puff teams compete and the winner has bragging rights for a year. Homecoming week concludes on Friday night with a home football game. Early in the day on Friday there is usually a Pep Rally. At the game the Homecoming Court is presented at half time and the Homecoming Queen was crowned. We began a new tradition last year by crowning both a King and Queen.

It's So a 2020 Homecoming

by Sasha Udvornocky
We asked SGA member Hayden Bird about how this year's themes for homecoming were chosen. For 2020, HHIHS had to create a unique homecoming week plan because of the hybrid schedule. SGA members talked to some of their classmates and to obtain some ideas for themes for the week. Hayden Bird said they had a Zoom meeting, and each grade officer offered suggestions for the themes. The top themes were debated, and a vote was taken to choose the themes for the week.
Because of 2020 and the pandemic, some traditions could not be held. We could not have Powder Puff, and we could not have a Pep Rally because of restrictions on large gatherings.

HHIHS Homecoming Spirit Days

by Kevin Perez, Addison Fisher & Laura Payne

Every year during homecoming at Hilton Head Island High School, the school has spirit days to show school spirit by wearing outfits to match different themed days. This year, HHIHS did virtual spirit day, ugly holiday sweaters, and country verses country club days.
Grace is a 9th grade student who participated in the 2020 Homecoming week spirit days. On ugly sweater day, Grace said, “I wore Christmas socks and a green ugly Christmas sweater.” Grace, as well as many others, looked very festive while at the same time displaying school spirit. Because the football homecoming was cancelled, homecoming was rescheduled as a home basketball game against Bluffton. “I am excited for the basketball HHIHS Homecoming, just a bit upset that it was not a football game; however, I'm glad the school rescheduled it because the students have something to look forward to,” Grace said.
So how are spirit days chosen?
Typically, the student government chooses the spirit day themes according to the wishes of the student body. Ms. Lee states, “they discuss possible themes and vote on those themes. This year because of the hybrid schedule we decided to choose only two themes and recycle those themes for AA/BB days.” According to Ms. Lee, “spirit theme days are traditionally tied into fall homecoming. Our homecoming was changed due to the football game being cancelled in the fall, so we changed it to the winter. Spirit days are generally around a theme to help build spirit among the staff and students. The spirit days generally lead up to a game against an opposing rival in football.” Ms. Lee’s favorite things about spirit days are watching students dress up. “It's also really funny when teachers dress up. Students really like to see their teachers dress up during spirit week.” Ms. Lee states, “My favorite themes are the country days and flashback days.”

Seahawks School Spirit: 2020 Version

by Colleen Ott

It is homecoming take two at Hilton Head Island High School. Students received the themes for the spirit days and started many other homecoming traditions in the school. One of those traditions includes hall decorating. SGA representatives, students, and staff came together to decorate the hallway to create more school spirit.
This year students only got to decorate the main hallway because the classroom hallways have signage reminding students and staff of proper safety precautions which cannot be covered up. Many themes such as “It’s so 2020”, “Country vs Country Club,” "Seahawk Spirit," and many more festive ideas were designed by students. After talking to some of the students who attended the event, they all seemed to enjoy being with their friends and doing something for the school.
Many students said their favorite part about homecoming “is the decorations.”
Students and staff say that the decorations make the school community more excited to participate in the homecoming activities. While decorating, there was holiday music playing, and students hanging out with friends. Everyone was socially distanced and kept their mask on. At the end, students were pleased with their work and hoped it would make other students excited for the week.

2020 Homecoming Court Announced

by Jake Huggins
Homecoming is a big tradition in most schools around the country. At the end of each homecoming week, a king and queen are usually crowned.
Homecoming court gives students the ability to have the once in a lifetime royalty-like event at their school. The king and queen represent the values of the school. The court is usually presented at the end of a season for sports or the big game of the year. The Homecoming king and queen is also a tradition in most schools.
At Hilton Head Island High School (HHIHS),the Homecoming Queen for 2020 is senior Sarah Ocampo. The Homecoming King for 2020 is senior Damon Kenny. They both participated in the event.

A Close Game at Homecoming

by Ady O'Grady & Sophia Weismantel
On Friday, December 18th, the Hilton Head Island High School girl's basketball team faced off against Bluffton High School.
In the first quarter, Bluffton started out strong, getting ahead of Hilton Head by five points, and leaving the first quarter 13-8 with three fouls for Bluffton and five fouls for Hilton Head. In the second quarter, the Seahawks started to come back strong. The girls were able to bring the score up to 23-20, with Hilton Head in the lead.
By the third quarter, the game was getting more intense. It was 34-29 with Bluffton leading Hilton Head. By this time, the crowd knew it would be a close game. Once the fourth quarter began, it was all or nothing for both teams. A time out was called with the score of 40-36 Bluffton, with only two minutes left in the game. As the game continued, Bluffton was given four penalty shots. They missed three of the four, giving Hilton Head sixteen seconds to come back.
With Bluffton leading 41-39, Hilton Head needed a basket to tie the game. Within a few seconds Bluffton scored, making Bluffton further the lead with 43 points. Hilton Head, determined to win, shot and scored in the last second.
Unfortunately, Hilton Head ran out of time, leaving Bluffton with a win of 43-41. Although they lost, the HHIHS girl's basketball team played a great game.

The Deep Well Project Food Drive

by Fernando Gomez & Thompson May

Hilton Head Island High School wants to help people in need. The SGA has partnered with The Deep Well Project for their food drive. There are many people in need and this food drive can change their Christmas.
Coulson Geltz is a student at Hilton Head Island High School and is involved in The Deep Well Food Drive.
Coulson states, “The Deep Well Project is having a food drive for the month of December.” Food drive boxes are placed at the front office for students and their parents to donate items . Some food items to donate include canned fruits, canned vegetables (low sodium), Chef Boyardee products or similar items, canned meats (chicken, tuna, salmon), breakfast bars, pasta, snacks (trail mix, cheese crackers, peanut butter, raisins, etc.) "These are some of the basic food items that can be donated at the food drive," Coulson stated.
Don't have any food items? "That is not a problem, we also need non-food items.” The Deep Well Project is looking for more than just food. They also need some other goods to donate such as deodorant, hand sanitizer, paper towels, and toothbrushes.
The food drive is a great way to help people in need during this pandemic. It is important to give back to those in need especially during these hard times.

Service Project: Animal Shelter

by Alex Coley & Marisa Martucci

At the beginning of pandemic, as people prepared to stay home for long periods of time, many adopted pets. COVID-19 caused many vets to not be operating at full capacity. This has led to some issues with new pet caretakers. Luckily, the animal shelters have been getting donations to help with their struggle this holiday season.
The local humane society, which has stopped all of their live fundraising events, is being assisted by the staff and students at Hilton Head Island High School. Members of the Student Government Association (SGA) have come together to hold the animal shelter outreach program. Ms. Lee, the teacher advisor of SGA, explains “we contacted local animal shelters and asked what they most needed this season. Many of the needs are blankets, treats, bleach, office supplies, etc. The students created a list, and they donated the collected items to the animal shelter on Dec. 22. The aim of the project is to highlight a service in our community,” as Ms. Lee says, and "give back to a place that has brought many people so much joy."
With the pandemic having a huge impact on vets and their patients, “it‘s something where we can give back.” With the weather getting colder on the island, the SGA is ready to help provide the Hilton Head Humane Society with blankets and cleaning supplies. All the goods collected will be donated to the local animal shelter in hopes that it will support a group that “has done a lot for the community” and aid them in their mission to improve the lives of homeless pets.

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