BY EMMA HUERTA
The high school experience is full of many monumental events in a student’s life. One of these fun occasions includes the annual homecoming festivities at the beginning of every school year.
CCHS hosts a multitude of traditional homecoming events, including spirit week, which concludes with the homecoming dance. As with every homecoming, representatives (per grade) are voted for by each respective class. The freshmen, sophomores and juniors each choose two representatives, and the seniors choose six.
“Cooper City is very academic– it’s a lot of testing and rigor. We hope that homecoming week is a little bit of a break from all of that,” Student Government Association (SGA) adviser Natalie Flaten said. “We like our homecoming court to represent that aspect of it.”
Students campaign to get the word out to their peers and subsequently earn their votes, usually through flyers or promotions on social media. Some students even use their campaigns to portray other messages and themes.
“Our goal and what we always hope for is that we have students that run that really demonstrate a leadership type of quality,” Flaten said.
“I heard someone say they would cry if they don’t win; thus, my campaigning is mostly memes of myself and having a good time which is what homecoming should be [about],” junior Poria Hong said. “By running, I hope it shows to everyone you don’t have to be popular to run and have fun.”
Running for homecoming can be an unforgettable and unique experience where students can be themselves and even make new friends, while also demonstrating their school pride.
“I think it’s good to show off your school spirit and also support your fellow classmates when they run as well,” sophomore Victoria Chacon said. “You get to make more friends and talk to some people that you might not [usually] talk to.”
The winners of homecoming court are announced on October 12, the Friday before the festivities begin, so that they can receive their sashes to showcase their representation. All throughout the week, their participation is required at the homecoming events such as Crazy Feats, Crazy Kickball, halftime at the football game and the homecoming dance.
“They demonstrate kindness– not [only] when people are watching. And of course, they demonstrate school spirit, like someone who is very quick to join clubs’ projects.”
Any student can apply for homecoming court by printing out the required forms on the CCHS Student Government Association (SGA) website. The forms ask potential candidates about their involvement in extracurricular activities, as well as why they think they should represent their specific class. They must also obtain signatures from 25 of their fellow peers, a faculty sponsor and their class administrator. The signatures exemplify their confidence in this candidate’s ability to represent the class well.
“Our goal and what we always hope for is that we have students that run that really demonstrate a leadership type of quality,” Flaten said. “They demonstrate kindness– not [only] when people are watching. And of course, they demonstrate school spirit, like someone who is very quick to join clubs’ projects.”
As long as they meet the specific requirements necessary to run, any prospective CCHS can strive for the recognition and work towards achieving this goal.
“I don’t think there is anything [else] necessary to run for court, just be yourself,” said Hong. “As long as one has the passion to run, anyone is capable.”
Photo by Alexa Jaspan
