Homecoming week at John Carroll was from October 7-12. During this week, the class of 2028 experienced many JC Spirit Week traditions for the first time.

Spirit Week began with Holiday Day. The freshman holiday was Valentine’s Day. Pink and red shirts and heart shaped necklaces and headbands filled the classrooms and halls.

Additionally, the freshman class participated in their first Advisory Block Party, where students traveled between advisories, shared food, and hung out with friends.

Class Color Day is a theme that occurs every Homecoming Week. The freshman class color is white. In the afternoon, the annual Powderpuff game was played between the junior and senior girls.

The freshmen watched the game, and at halftime, a few freshman girls participated in a field goal kicking competition against sophomore girls.

Freshman Matthew Proctor said, “Powderpuff was my favorite activity because it was an athletic event, and it allowed us to be outside.”

Wednesday was Celebrity Day. Students from all four grades dressed as their favorite celebrities. During the lunch mods, there was a cookout in the courtyard.

Thursday was Age Day. This day is always a fan favorite and comes back every year. The freshmen dressed as toddlers. On Thursday, the freshmen also watched their first Quiz Bowl and participated in their first Ring Hunt.

Freshman sMatthew Gostomski said, “My favorite day was Age Day because I got to wear pajama pants to school.”

English Teacher Shannon Olsen said, “My freshmen all had a really fun time. I think they most enjoyed Age Day; I saw a lot of them participating in the theme by wearing onesies.”

On Black and Gold Day, students showed their Patriot spirit by dressing in the JC school colors. Friday afternoon was the pep rally followed by the Homecoming football game that evening.

Matthew Proctor said, “My favorite day of Spirit Week was Black and Gold Day. On Black and Gold Day it was the easiest to plan an outfit, and I think the most people participated.”

Freshman Austin Keller agreed that he was also surprised by the participation level on Friday. His favorite part in the week was the pep rally because “almost everyone could take part in that and be with friends.”

Ms. Olsen added that, in class on Friday, “they were all looking forward to going to the Homecoming Game and Dance.”

The Homecoming Dance was held on Saturday night to conclude the week filled with activities. The theme was “Under the Sea.” Overall, the freshmen seemed surprised by the number of students in attendance and the number of students dancing.

Freshman girls gathered with their friends to make bouquets and have brunch the morning of the dance. Friend groups gathered to take pictures together before heading to the dance.

Matthew Procter said, “The thing that surprised me the most was how many people showed up. There were a lot more people than I thought there would be.”

Matthew Gostomski said, “I was surprised by the number of people dancing.”

The freshmen got their first impression on a week that they will get to take part in for their next three years of high school.