Alumni homecoming is very popular in the Philippines. It is something that alumni look forward to in each year. It is when present and previous students in a school come together to celebrate their school, the memories they made during their time and the history they share.
Alumni homecoming has a very special place in the hearts of previous students because it enables them to come back to their alma mater and be with with their old classmates, old friends and even old flames to reconnect and relive the magic of highschool life. It is an event that fosters camaraderie and nostalgia.
Everyone of us become an alumnus of an institution for several moments in our lives. And for most of us, we consider an alumni homecoming to be a reunion of some sort. It is an opportunity for us to reconnect with old friends and classmates, most of them we haven't seen since highschool. It is so nice to catch up on how everyone did after graduation, remember about the good and even not so good things we experienced way back. Its atmosphere is always fun, filled with laughter, fun stories and a sense of belongingness which makes us feel like nothing has ever changed.
The reunion part of an alumni homecoming for me is the most epic moment. It is what makes me look forward to seeing people I haven't seen for a very long time, may it be a simple seatmate, a former best friend of a beloved teacher. Most of them I can't even remember anymore. Faces more often that not have changed but the bond shared during highschool will always be strong, and usually, the friendship will be rekindled right after the gathering.
A homecoming gives the alumni an opportunity to reminisce and reflect on their experiences wile they were in highschool. For some, they look at this opportunity to reflect on the wins and loses they had in highschool. The old classroom, the hallways, the gymnasium, the canteen and the hallways brings a fond memory.
Going to a homecoming also gives alumni a chance to see the changes their school had through the years. The new infrastructures, new offices, new faculty members, new extra-curricular activities and the like. All of these changes give us a glimpse of comfort about being able to step back on the floors we used to be walking in lots of years ago, it also give us a realization howour alma mater has been a very big part in molding us to who we are today.
Alumni homecoming is the perfect occasion to celebrate school spirit. For most high schools, a week before the homecoming is filled with a lot of activities which is designed to have more alumni participate and be part of the excitement. IFun parades, gift-giving, meet-up with old teachers, athletics and all gives everyone a chance to relive the best parts of highschool life.
These collection of fun activities is infectious. An alumnus may find himself unconsciously being a part of the activities. There's always something unifying about being a part of a group. Whether you are cheering for your own batch or cheering for somebody special, there will always b a feeling of belongingness.
Another important phase of an alumni homecoming is giving back. For most alumni, a homecoming is merely a social gathering. But it is also an opportunity to support our alma mater in their future plans. Host batches usually do gund-raising drives so they can give donations in the further beautification of the school.
One of the activities most alumni look forward to is the homecoming dance. The gathering is usually fun and relaxing, with all alumni meeting and greeting each other.
In my school, it usually starts with a mass early in the morning. Followed by a parade around the town, participated by different batch in their respective uniforms, each with a presentation. After the parade, participants then gather together for lunch. Then we go home so we can prepare for the homecoming dance in the evening. This is the most exciting part especially that each alumnus comes in costume that the host batch set. In these photos I am sharing, we are in bohemian costume.
Alumni homecoming is not just a one-day gathering. It is considered as a powerful tradition that brings people together no matter their age and stand in life. It is a day when everybody seem to be equal, just like when they were still in high school.
For an alumni like most of us, going back to our school is one way for us to reconnect with one another. It's an opportunity to relive our high school life while at the same time embracing the changes that happened along the way. Living in a world that everything seems to be changing all the time, attending an alumni homecoming is like a breath of fresh air. It is a reminder that school spirit, shared moments and history and camaraderie will always stay.
