Homecoming tradition instills school pride

  • Published
  • By Ally Dinges
  • 31st Fighter Wing Public Affairs
AVIANO AIR BASE, Italy --  Designed to instill school pride, the tradition of Homecoming has been spanned decades. The Aviano Air Base high school celebrated its annual homecoming week, Oct. 7 to 12.

The week is filled with notable events including a pep-rally, football game, homecoming court and a school dance. During homecoming spirit week, each day is assigned its own theme. Students wear something that falls into the day's theme to earn points for their class.

"At the end of the week the class with the most points and the most school spirit wins," said Rachel Ives, Aviano American high school student body president. "Along with earning points through dressing up, each class also has the opportunity to design their own homecoming banner. The banner is judged during spirit week, and the winner earns more points for their class."

The traditional bonfire and girl's flag football game were cancelled due to poor weather conditions. To make up for the flag football game the women's varsity volleyball team challenged the football team to a volleyball game, Friday during lunch.

"It was really entertaining to watch," said Abby Abernathy, Aviano American high school senior. "Everyone got really into it and I was surprised, but the guys actually held their own out there."

During the homecoming pep-rally, the homecoming court names were announced, a performance from the cheerleaders and pie throwing event, students donated money to select a coach for a pie. The pep-rally also announced the seniors as the winners of spirit week for being the class that showed the most overall school spirit.

"Everyone showed a lot of school spirit and it was just a great atmosphere," said Savannah Littlefield, Aviano American high school senior and homecoming queen nominee. "My favorite part of homecoming week was seeing the coaches get pied in the face."

The Aviano Saints football team managed their first and only win of the season in double overtime against Naples Saturday.

"We came into this game not knowing what would happen, but we came together as a unit and did what coach always told us 'do your assignment, then get the ball' and that is why we were successful" said Mike Trujillo, Aviano American high school senior starting quarterback. "I couldn't have asked for a better way to finish my high school football career."

Rachel Ives and Alex Slabaugh were crowned homecoming queen and king, at the dance Saturday night, to wrap up this year's homecoming.

"This was my last homecoming and also one of the best," exclaimed Abernathy. "I had a lot of fun and thought it was great how everyone showed so much spirit. My favorite part was the dance, I loved getting dressed up and spending the night with my friends, I definitely have a lot of memories to take away from this week."