Story by Drake MacFarlane -- Staff Writer/Student

Photo of Senior Float by Kathy Ebenal 

Homecoming has been an age-old tradition for Oregon City High School, and this year’s was quite successful in its parade, game and dance.

What Homecoming means exactly is ambiguous to many. Some students hadn’t an inkling, while others had some ideas. Senior Ashley Johnson said, “It’s to remember soldiers and wars, or perhaps an old conspiracy theory.”

Senior Andrew Madsen had a more idyllic view, saying, “[Homecoming] seeks to create a nostalgic experience for years to come, and for a spirit-filled night of fun.”

Finally, students like senior Chayne Husband, felt it was a unifying experience and said, “Homecoming is for all classes to bind together for the year.”

However, Homecoming was actually created for alumni, as an experience for high school graduates to come home to watch a game, and reconnect with yesteryear.

Confirming this was Principal Nancy Bush-Lange, who said, “People enjoy the event and it has been a longstanding tradition for alumni.”

Principal Bush-Lange also said this year had a large turnout for alumni, and those who came received buttons with the year of their graduation on them.

For veteran Fred Herrle, class of 1985 alumni, Homecoming isn’t just tradition. “It’s for the sake of the small town; the community coming together for a parade and a game,” said Herrle.

In addition to the game, the parade was a success. The parade’s theme was videogames, and there were floats from each of the classes and several clubs/activities. For example, the Speech and Debate team had a Tetris inspired float. The winning float was the Mario-inspired senior one.

In the end, senior Katie Kohler said, “I’m hopeful [about the year], it’s gonna be a good one.”