1st Homecoming at 30yrs

Saturday 06th October 2007
at 03:01pm

For our first trip in the newly acquired wheels, we were off to experience a time honoured American tradition. The Homecoming parade and a game of Friday Night Lights. We were lucky enough to do this at Ashwaubenon High School amongst their pristinely manicured gardens, spectacularly dressed and well rehearsed band and a football team that remains undefeated, like our Green Bay Packers, through the first 5 weeks of their season

With the weather the way it was Kelly stayed back with the boys and I ventured out to see it all for myself. This worried me a little. I mean how many 30 year old men rock up to a high school at homecoming time to watch a parade of teenagers they have never met, at a school they have never been, in a suburb they still have trouble pronouncing? So pronunciation wasn’t too much of a concern. What was, was the prospect of having to explain to an officer that my intentions were in fact honourable and that I was there just to see what all the fuss was about. I desperately wanted to attend with Kelly and the boys as it was. In that case, being with my wife and little ones would have been alot less threatening than standing on my own smiling away for no apparent reason.

Thankfully, within 30 seconds of parking the car and doing my best not to look like a total weirdo I happened across some friends I was hoping would be there and all crisis’ were averted.

My reasons for wanting to attend a homecoming parade and see a game of High School football are quite simple. The school spirit shown here in the US is so far removed from what we are used to back home that it’s inspiring to see. We simply don’t have the participation in sports, music or dancing that you do here. We don’t have beautiful football fields with bleachers and public address systems for play by play commentary like you do here. And we certainly don’t get 1000 people to a game of any type of school sport, buying apparel, waving flags and singing school songs like you do here.

For the couple of hours I was lucky enough to attend Goelz Field I saw kids from as young as 2 to their teens having the time of their lives. Running from left to right, cheering their team on, clapping, singing and stomping in unison. There were friends, parents and relatives from young to old supporting their school. It didn’t matter for what reason, the bleachers were full and the spirit was awesome.

I was so taken by everything I saw tonight that I found the merchandise stand (did I just say merchandise.....at a High School game?) and bought myself a Jaguars t-shirt ’cause the whole experience was totally infectious. I was the odd one out in my relatively plain hooded jumper (I believe you call them sweatshirts). There was Jaguar everything as far as the eyes could see. 95% of everybody there had a green and gold paw-print of some description, somewhere on their body. The Elementary School kids were wearing theirs despite not even attending the school yet. Babies had theirs, and adults had theirs. Kids had their faces painted and the teenagers, most of whom would count the team as their friends, were about as whacky in their support and dress as you would expect teenagers to be. From glowing necklaces to wigs, stockings and torn up jerseys there was no mistaking who the home team was.

The crazy dress was no more evident than at the beginning of the game when the choir came together to sing the national anthem. I wasn’t sure if Motley Crew had 50 children that attended this school or if Halloween had taken over homecoming but boy there was an interesting selection of apparel. Despite their look, when it came time to sing, these kids were angelic. Their voices were so soft and the harmony toward the end would have had Boyz to Men blushing. 

At halftime I saw the most incredible High School band I think I am ever likely to see. 300 boys and girls strong this band belted out tunes for a good 15 minutes dressed so beautifully they could have been mistaken for a military band at the very least. They completed formations (loved it when they spelt out “Jags”) danced to their own beat and smiled all the while. There were solos that had the crowd screaming and big finishes to sets that were always bigger than the last. Accompanied by a baton, then fire twirling gymnast this was a show well worth paying the $3 entry fee to see.

And then there were the fireworks. Was this New Years Eve or a High School football game? I thought this was a nice touch and expected a few bright bangs before we got back to the game. Could I have been any more naive? The fireworks were every bit as big as the parade, the band and everything else I had seen tonight. Getting bigger, louder and more colourful with each bang I sat in quiet awe as I came to terms with the sort of night this had been. Only a slice of apple pie could have made this more American. Then again, I had just finished two hot dogs and had a Gatorade sitting beside me so perhaps the pie wasn’t necessary after all.

I left for home after that. Kelly had Robbo and Tezza over and I wanted to get home and see them before they left. Plus, as much as I say I enjoy what I am doing, none of it quite feels the same without Kel so I was happy to get home to her aswell.

As I headed out under the bleachers toward my car I looked for the back-up quarterback kissing the jock-hating, non cheerleading, good-girl. You know, because he never gets played anyway, they’re off to different schools next year and this is there last shot at true romance? I know, only in Hollywood. But most of what I had seen tonight seemed so unreal that I thought I’d keep an eye out just in case.

Posted by

Comments

Leave your own comment