THE ECHO

By Aliyah Surakat // Reporter

The roar of the student section echoed across the stadium Friday night, gold shirts flashing in unison as Avon’s Oriole Army cheered under the lights. For senior leader Zoie Carmack, the moment captured everything Homecoming is meant to be: spirit, pride, and tradition.

“I think it’s an important tradition for our community just because it allows everybody to come together,” Carmack said. “The themes are a fun way for us to express ourselves, but also do the same thing at the same time. It’s fun to get the whole community out somewhere.”

That sense of unity is why Homecoming Week still matters. It is not only about a football game or a Saturday night dance. It is about spirit that fills the halls, pride in Avon’s colors, and traditions that carry meaning across generations.

“We say ‘We are Avon, we are one,’ but we don’t always see it. During Homecoming Week,” Student government sponsor Mrs. Meadows said. “It’s important for morale, and it shows that students want to be here.”

From organizing the dance and the carnival to planning Spirit Week themes, student government makes sure the community can celebrate together. Meadows said she has seen attendance at the dance nearly double since she started.

“It may just feel like a dance,” Meadows said, “but it demonstrates excitement about school culture. It shows that people want to celebrate Avon together.”

For exchange students, Avon’s traditions highlight the uniqueness of American school life. Alice Rivelli, visiting from Italy, said Spirit Week made every day exciting. For her, preparing with classmates, laughing through the stress of makeup and hair before the dance, was a memory she will take back home.

“In Italy, we don’t have homecoming at all,” Rivelli said. “It was fun to see everyone dress up. Even though I don’t understand football, I just went and had fun with my friends.”

From Spain, Aisha Redondo Gonzalez described the experience as surreal. For her, the pride in Avon’s traditions was clear from the way students and staff joined together to celebrate.

“It felt like stepping into an American movie,” Gonzalez said. “Seeing the whole school dress up, go to the game, and then the dance, it was so special.”

For Carmack, that pride comes alive in the Oriole Army. Dressing up for theme days and filling the stands is not only about cheering. It is about showing what Avon stands for. “It’s all about everyone being together,” Carmack said.

Homecoming 2025 proved that spirit, pride, and tradition are still at the heart of Avon’s culture. From football wins to late-night laughter with friends, the week remains a reminder that some traditions are worth holding onto.