You finally find a parking spot. As you walk towards the doors of the Competition Gymnasium, you are met with the sound of heavy bass bumping from the dance floor. The gym is lit with colorful, flashing lights and the tarped floor has been littered with lost boutonnieres. Upon entering the mosh pit you are thrown around in a circle of sweaty teenagers screaming lyrics to only the best songs. Welcome to Vestavia Hills Homecoming.
While the dance itself is nothing extraordinary, Vestavia Homecoming sets itself apart from other schools in its celebrations. While the typical “hoco” experience is characterized by a school showing off at a football game to its alumni, Vestavia differs in how it centers its homecoming traditions around service.
In the second semester of the 2023-2024 school year, the SGA body voted Equip to be the focus of the school’s annual fall charity. In a competition unlike all others, Vestavia students race to collect money to win one of the largest and most popular challenges: Homecoming King.
In other schools, the King is typically a popularity contest amongst the student body. However, at VHHS the Homecoming King is determined by who raises the most money for the fall charity. Each grade plus the band is presented with a nominee. The competition is fierce. The Kings go as far as to partner with businesses like Doodles and Paris Nails to earn funds for their campaign. Instagram accounts are made, announcements are aired, and parents get involved. Everything is on the table. The race for Homecoming King always brings joy, life, and community within the school as everyone is not only supporting their King but also donating to a wonderful cause. That is not what one would find at any other school’s Homecoming celebrations.
The fundraising does not end with the Kings. Money is also made through Homecoming traditions such as the Faculty v. Student Basketball game. With each student bringing in five dollars to watch the bloodbath, the game always brings forth buckets of school spirit, and by default buckets of cash. While the odds typically favor the teachers, the student players always bring forth a good fight. This year, the participating Faculty and Staff barely slid by with a win. With such a close game, the crowd will surely be large for the rematch next homecoming season.
Every school has homecoming. Any student can go to a dance and participate in dress-up themes, but only Vestavia Hills students can participate in homecoming traditions that will benefit those in need for years to come. The fundraising total has yet to be released, but rest assured, the VHHS community will continue its legacy of generosity even past this year’s homecoming celebrations.
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