Traditions of Homecoming
September 30, 2022
Written by Lilly Moats and Landon Cole
Welcome to TR Homecoming Week! Unlike other schools, our Homecoming Week is unique with the special edition of Field Day. Field Day, created in 2000 by Principal Wallendorf, was a way for the ThunderRidge community to unite as one. No longer just individual students, but working together as a school as a whole, grade levels fighting for their title as the best class while still supporting each other wholeheartedly. Looking back at our school yearbook, “Mr. Wallendorf had wanted Field Day to be a part of his school. He knew ThunderRidge High School was unique and thought it would be the best place for such a school-spirited event.”
Over the last twenty-two years, Homecoming and Field Day have changed quite significantly. In the first few years of ThunderRidge, Homecoming was called Newcoming. This was due to celebrating ThunderRidge still being a new school. In the early 2000s, each grade would create a float based on their theme for the week. These floats would then be shown at the Homecoming Parade. Examples of these included the 2008 seniors having a Superman-themed float alongside the freshman with a Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle-themed float. Another exciting event no longer included in our Homecoming festivities is Bed Races. This was an event in which students turned mattresses into racing machines and would compete against each other to see who was the fastest. Looking back this event seems rather dangerous and we can see why this exciting event may no longer be included. Spirit Days have always been a staple in ThunderRidge’s annual homecoming. An annual well-loved spirit day has and will always be PJ Day. Students and even teachers come to school with their favorite PJs, blankets, and slippers. Who doesn’t like spending the whole day comfy? In 2018, TR had the infamous bonfire that melt a portion of C Lot. Unfortunately, and, for our safety, we no longer can have massive bonfires, but that doesn’t mean we can’t celebrate. Newcoming and Homecoming have been traditions since the opening year of TR, but Field Day was not started until 2000. This doesn't mean there are not some fantastic memories to look back on.
Field Day is such a strong piece of ThunderRidge’s identity and is always satisfying to watch the unity between students and classes during this loud fun-filled day. Unfortunately, some activities we no longer participate in like the hula hoop race where participants jump through the hoops across the gymnasium. This activity has been traded for things like video games and chess. The famous dance competition where girls and boys, especially from poms or cheer, show off their talent to the best, started in 2011 and has gone strong ever since. A classic Field Day activity is the obstacle course. Since 2000, more than 500 grizzlies have kissed the grizzly on the gym floor.
Mr. Sam put it best “The saying we’ve always had was, bring them together as a Seminar, bring them together as a class, bring them together as a school, and then bring them together as a community”. Looking back on the many traditions in ThunderRidge’s history I can't wait to see what more we can make!
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