These past two weeks have been the busiest yet. Last week, our high school had its Fall Homecoming. Since I was one of the four people in charge of organizing the events, it was stressful. At the beginning of the week, all of Student Council stayed after school to decorate the halls in our Hollywood theme. We put up movie posters, hung hundreds (literally) of stars from the ceiling, and strung lights throughout the hall. We planned “class spirit days” and it was a blast, seeing everybody dress up in 1980s gear, sports jerseys, and Hollywood glamour.

On Friday, we played our powder-puff football game and had the pep rally, the senior girls’ dance, a chicken barbeque, and a hypnotist show. During the day, the halls were flooded with friendly rivalry between the classes: students running around wearing war-paint and chanting their graduation year. The seniors won the tug of war and the football game because our coaches came up with a few trick plays. Because I was hosting the pep rally, I spent most of the rest of the day setting up for it. The Hollywood theme was a hit and our games were fun. I loved hosting it, but I was relieved when all the events were over. My older sister came to the Homecoming pep rally and saw a few of her friends and former teachers there, too. Just think, I’ll be an alumna soon and will look forward to visiting my high school in the future.

On the Saturday of Homecoming, Student Council members led a float down our Main Street. We had a huge float built on a large truck with a giant guitar and speakers on it, and we blasted music to get the crowds energized for the football game. Our team played well but we lost in the fourth quarter, a heartbreaker, but the school rallied behind the team anyway. The dance was packed (we have to count the money from tickets later) which made it even more fun. Afterwards, it was so nice outside that my friends and I went swimming. Overall, the week and weekend went very well and it was rewarding to see the work turn into successful, exciting events.

I used our Columbus Day holiday from school to get ahead in college applications. And this week, seniors had a day off of school to visit colleges, to work on college application essays with the guidance office and with English teachers, or to prepare for college admissions tests, like the ACT. I visited a nearby university and had an information session, a campus tour, and an interview. Then I went home to work more on college applications. I completed my goal of getting my recommendations, but I still need to work on my personal statement. I’m finding that part a little difficult right now but am confident it will come together.

The fall season has been beautiful so far with great weather and a full schedule of events celebrating our school’s Homecoming tradition. I love the colors and the crisp air—it makes college campuses even more attractive. Oh, one more thing on my to-do list: find a costume for Halloween. Be safe and I hope you all get your favorite treats.