Wait, Teachers Went to Homecoming Too?
Teachers at MHS share their experiences from their own homecoming when they were younger.
Lanie Weikert ‘23
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As students in high school, a big thing to look forward to, a motivator to do well in school, is homecoming week. With the 2022 homecoming in full swing, students are celebrating the week with traditions such as powderpuff, senior march, and more. In the big lead up to the homecoming dance, it is important to remember that the teachers in each classroom went to homecoming once too, or at least participated in some of the traditions.
Mr. Iosbaker celebrates homecoming at Bellevue High School
Mr. Iosbaker, an instructional coach, and AP Psychology teacher participated in his own high school homecoming traditions at Bellevue High School. He was a well rounded student, captain of the football team, Student Council President, and multisport athlete. However, he has mixed opinions on homecoming week itself.
“I always appreciated the school spirit aspect of the week, it’s important to have people come together and have a great time, but I’m also a terrible dancer, which made the dances awkward,” said Iosbaker.
For seniors, homecoming week is especially important to them because it is their last one of their high school years, so they really try to make the most of it.
“Senior year homecoming was probably where I made some of my fondest memories because I was doing a lot that whole week. Since I participated in a lot of different activities I spent a lot of time in those and setting up activities for the rest of the student body,” said Iosbaker.
Many people see Muscatine as a small town; Bellevue, however, is a very small town in Iowa with a population of a little more than 2,000 people. Being a small town, the entire town supported the high school and their events.
“In my experience, homecoming in small towns is different. Homecoming week is the biggest celebration in the fall, so the entire community comes out to support the school. However, despite its size, Muscatine does a great job promoting homecoming week and celebrating the students and their accomplishments,” Iosbaker said.
Mrs. Edkin showing off a "homecoming sweater"
Mrs. Edkin, a P.E. teacher who went to Muscatine in the 90’s can offer a first hand opinion on homecoming week in Muscatine. One of the biggest differences definitely being the style.
“The girls wore sweaters, skirts, sometimes different dresses like babydoll style, and jumpers. For hair, we didn’t go to the salon or anything. Instead, we used hot rollers on our hair, it was whatever we could do on our own,” said Mrs. Edkin.
Times have changed for sure, but even from Edkin’s senior year, to Iosbaker’s, the differences are not difficult to identify.
“Guys used a lot of hair gel in their hair, faux-hawks were in at the time, and we didn’t wear tight dress pants like the boys do today, we wore more bootcut style pants,” said Iosbaker.
Another big difference between then and now is the way people are asked. When Mrs. Edkin went to school, the grand gestures were yet to be a thing.
“Sometimes the person had a friend ask someone for them. If they were brave they asked the person over a phone call. But, if they were super brave then they asked them face to face, no signs, no grand gestures like today,” said Edkin.
Whereas today, we know the big thing to do to ask someone to the special dance is with a sign. Though, the fear of rejection is and always will be timeless.
“You should go to the dance. Despite some of the negatives and anxiety, it will be something you remember for a long time,” said Iosbaker.
Participating in homecoming week events are a great opportunity to create memories that will stick with you for a long time.
“Participating in homecoming week traditions adds another dimension to your school experience, and it is fun. It can help to make a great high school experience,” added Edkin.
Though homecoming week is coming to a close, there are still opportunities to create memories by going to the football game this Friday, or buying a ticket during your lunch for the dance this Saturday. Don’t be afraid to get out of your comfort zone, and have a little fun this weekend.
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