Homecoming has a long tradition at Sandpoint High. The Cedar Post asked teachers and staff about their experiences over the decades.

1970s

Homecoming was the second week of school, and it was called “Hello Week” where each class would have a different outfit to wear that showed which class they were in. Homecoming was important for football but not the dance.

“I didn’t go to any of the dances after the football game but went to the games.” Lyn Evans said. Her boyfriend at the time, who is now her husband, didn’t want to go.

The dance, a sock-hop, was after the football game and student would wear the same clothes they wore at the game. During halftime, the royalty, mainly girls, would be driven out in cars to be showcased and would wear long fancy dresses.

“My favorite teacher (Mr. Schoonover) bought a football mum (corsage) each year,” Patsy Sletager said.

The drill team would also perform at half-time. Powerpuff started in 1974 and the girls would wear the football team’s jerseys.

1980s

Homecoming was started with the Guardian Angels, who were pep club members assigned to a sports team. They would give their sports’ teams gifts, and the athletes wouldn’t find out until the end of the week who their Guardian Angel was.

Another event was a door decorating contest where the winner would be announced at the end of the week. During the 80s, homecoming football games were on Fridays.

“Junior year (we) won the football game,” Principal Tom Albertson said, “Senior year (we) lost the game.” Tom Albertson said when reflecting on his best and worst memories.

The dance would be after the football game so students would go to the dance in what they wore to the game. The Royalty rode out in convertibles on the field during halftime to announce the winners.

1990s

Homecoming had powder puff a couple days before the football game, with the football game on Friday and the dance on Saturday. There was a parade with floats that the students made on Friday and a bonfire and chili feed in front of the school to increase school spirit.

During the halftime show of the football game, the cheer team would perform and the homecoming royalty would ride out in convertibles. Erica Haynes won Homecoming royalty and wore the same cloak that her mom wore when she won. William Love was also nominated as royalty, and he was voted Prince his junior year.

“I think they were all great,” Heather Dinkins said about her best memories of Homecoming. “Taking pictures at the dance with all of my friends and dancing for sure.”

2000s

Homecoming was on a Friday and the dance was on Saturday, while  the powderpuff game on Wednesday. At powderpuff there was a boys cheer team that would cheer on the sidelines but wouldn’t perform.

Conor Baranski was a  cheerleader for powderpuff, and he remembers his school peers wanted to fight him for wearing hoop earrings. Scott Fitchett remembers dress up days such as, “Duct Tape Day” and “Garbage Bag Dress Up”.

During the football game on Friday, the cheerleaders would perform at halftime and the royalty nominations would come out in convertibles. The dance was semi-formal but girls would wear long dress.

Now

What do you want to come back from homecomings past? And what do you wish stayed in the past?