Homecoming is a cherished tradition in American high schools and colleges, celebrated with parades, football games, dances, and the crowning of a homecoming king and queen. Its origins can be traced back to the early 20th century, rooted in the desire to welcome students back to their schools/colleges.
The earliest documented homecoming celebrations occurred at universities such as the University of Missouri, Baylor University, and the University of Illinois between 1909 and 1911. The University of Missouri claims to have held the first official homecoming in 1911, when athletic director Chester Brewer invited students to “come home” for the annual football game against the University of Kansas(University of Missouri, n.d), organizing rallies, a parade, and other festivities to encourage attendance. This event set the standard for future homecomings, combining social competitions with social gatherings.
Other universities, such as Baylor University and the University of Illinois, also have claimed the have started the homecoming traditions around the same time, each incorporating similar elements like football games and student reunions. By the 1920s, the concept had spread rapidly across the country, becoming an annual fall event at many educational institutions.
Over the decades, homecoming evolved to include additional activities such as pep rallies and formal dances. The selection of a homecoming court became a highlight, symbolizing school pride and unity. Today, homecoming remains a vibrant celebration that brings together students and communities, reflecting the enduring importance of tradition and connection in American educational life.
I interviewed couples and friends to get an insight of how people perceive homecoming in modern days.
Mathew Mettler said a couple of things that made him excited for homecoming were that he gets to hang out with his friends and that he actually has a date this year and When he was asking his girlfriend out to homecoming, he felt pretty nice, but at the same time, nervous.
When asked, Gianna Cocco said that it felt rejuvenating when she was asked out by her friend, Payton Greenburger, and that she was excited for the dance with Payton and the after-party, as she had not had a good time at homecoming the year prior.
When asking Madelynn Perez how it felt to be asked out by her boyfriend, River Lindsey, she said it felt awesome and that she was excited to dress up, get pho, and hang out with her boyfriend and her friends at the dance.
River Lindsey had said the same thing as Madelynn when asked the same questions about homecoming, really highlighting how alike the two are.
Work Cited
Maclay, Ilana. “Homecoming: A history.” The Pepperbox, 29 March 2024, https://thepepperbox.com/features/homecoming-a-history/. Accessed 5 October 2025
Willson, Kate. Why Is It Called Homecoming? How Did Homecoming Start? couturecandy, July 31st, 2025
