Homecoming 2025

By Superintendent of Hudson Community School District, Dr. Anthony Voss 

The concept of homecoming has its roots in the early 19th century when it was  first adopted by colleges and universities to as a way to welcome back alumni around  a major athletic event. According to legend, the athletic director at the University of  Missouri was looking for a way to boost attendance at the annual rivalry football game  during the 1911 'Border War' contest with the University of Kansas. What better way to  do so then inviting back alumni for a weekend celebration that included pep rallies, bon  fires, and parades; all culminating in the big game? The model for the modern  homecoming celebration was born. By the 1950s, it was ubiquitous in high schools all  around the nation.  

My relationship with homecoming over the years has been, well a bit complicated.  Perhaps I'm a bit stubborn but as illustrated above, homecoming at its roots was about  the alumni. Factor in the consideration that at one time, what had been a weekend  celebration has morphed into a weeklong interruption to the normal and regular  operation of the institution. The potential for chaos keeps me awake at night! One may  think a day of dressing a certain way is pretty benign, but perhaps a visit to the  kindergarten wing during 'dress like your teacher day' might be a good way to test that  theory! I know, I know. I'm a fun hater, right? Hold on a moment, I did say this was  complicated!  

On one hand it is critically important that we never lose sight of the primary  purpose we exist. To that end, we strive to make every moment count and ensure that  instructional time-those minutes we use to educate the youth of our community are not  wasted. I remind our staff at the beginning of each year of the enormous responsibility  they carry and the job they must do-and the fact they have 180 days in which to do it.  

Yet, the other side of the same coin would remind us that while the work we do is  incredibly important, there is no prohibition in having fun while doing it! Many times in  this missive I have extolled the virtues of the American public school system while  drawing comparisons with our counterparts in other countries. Where those systems  do not include robust activity programs (art, music, athletics), ours does. Indeed,  homecoming is a uniquely American experience and one that, in spite of my  'complicated relationship' am proud to celebrate.  

What had at one time been a gimmick to pack the stands a rivalry football game  has evolved into something much more. Homecoming does still have that element of  welcoming home our alumni. But now, it is about school and community pride. In the  final analysis perhaps now, [more so] that really is the nexus of what this thing we call  homecoming is all about. After all, the first thing most people see when they are  approaching the gateway view of our small Iowa town is a water tower emblazoned  with the Pirate logo. We wear navy and white because we are proud not just of our  school, but we are proud of where we are from. We wear navy and white because we  are inspired by the accomplishments of our students. We are proud of what they are  able to achieve in the classroom and on the field of play. We are appreciative and  satisfied when we hear the stories of our students who have set examples that, at one  time were nurtured and cultivated within our own halls, and now serve as an inspiration  for those who follow in their footsteps. 

In my view, Homecoming 2025 was a tremendous success. Not just because of  the huge upset win at the game on Friday night, but also the spirit, joy, and excitement  the week brought to our students and community. The annual chili supper at the fire  station. The pep rallies. The homecoming dance. The game. And yes, the dress up  days. Thanks to everyone who worked so hard in planning the week!