Homecoming brings out the best in school spirit

I'm getting ready to go to my youngest son's 8th grade football game and I'm excited about that. I always love going to his and his older brother's events, no matter what they are, but this week is different. It's Homecoming week and I have actually felt school pride in the air from these kids… from 8th grade on up through high school. I had the pleasure of attending the high school boys and girls soccer homecoming against Bigfork, on Tuesday night and I had a wonderful time. Not only was it great to sit amongst my friends, something I don't do near enough but more importantly, there it was, in the air… that sense of pride for our kids, our school, our town. The game was very exciting and my hands actually "hurt" after the game, from so much clapping. I also found myself looking down on that field at those young boys and girls and felt a little tug of the old heart now and then. A lot of those kids I have known most of their lives and now they are on the edge of adulthood and will soon be out on their own. Yes, there's that old lump in the throat.

Sitting there, in the stands, Homecoming Week, just felt good. Good to watch all those athletes, good to look around at all the familiar faces, lots of whom I love, good to feel at home. My oldest son is a high school football player and once again, I feel the excitement of all the fun he's had this past week and will have today, the feed the Moms are putting on for the team at the Pin and Cue (Thanks Mac and Nancy McCracken!) going to the bonfire after, then tomorrow's big game against Bigfork. It's good old fashioned FUN!

I have been thinking a lot about my home town, a very small town, everyone knew everyone, they still do.. and homecoming was a big deal. I remember they would close our beautiful covered bridge over the Mahoning River, to all traffic, so the cheerleaders, players, band and all the fans, young and old, could march through it, as it was right near the field.

That was always so exciting, and it just felt good, that good old fashioned fun thing again!

I don't know what the outcome of the high school game will be tomorrow night and I'm not a big WIN WIN WIN kind of gal but I have to tell you, I hope this team does win. Not only because it's Homecoming but because these young men have been tested a lot lately and they have been working hard, consistently, long before their first game. They have been challenged, on and off the field and a win would certainly be good for all of them but I have to say it once again… there is that sense again of school pride, team pride, town pride…you can just feel it. They are a great bunch of "kids" let me tell you.

There is SO much more going on than these boys learning about and playing football. They are learning and experiencing ups and downs and team camaraderie, all good things to be doing on the road of life.

I also need to say here, your kids can have this without playing any sports or by being a fan. I had no sports available to me as a high schooler, yet I have lots of good memories of belonging and pride, etc.. so please don't misunderstand my messages here, Life is good, it's precious, and now is the time to make those memories, long after Homecoming week is over, for our kids and for ourselves and for our families. See you at the game.

Paula Jones

Whitefish