Homecoming this year was one like no other. Student government had to make many changes not only to the dance and festivities, but also their entire planning process. The spirit week and all of the events that go along with it were made to accommodate not only the circumstances of the pandemic and social distancing, but also having most of the student body being fully online. Student government encountered challenges with this, one being coming up with activities that students actually want to do and take part of. Students doing full online do not ever go to school and don’t have to participate in various things. Finding things that students would actually do and enjoy was an immense challenge. 

Student body president Sadie Case said, ”It was about finding that incentive that made kids think, oh I want to participate, even if it’s online.”  Coming up with an incentive and good, safe ideas was the hardest part of the homecoming planning process. 

Having a large number of students online created problems for not just the actual dance, but also student government’s usual process and traditions. Along with the struggle of planning a pandemic dance and spirit week, a large aspect of homecoming and everything it stands for is the community aspect and coming together as a school. Without things like football games and assemblies to celebrate this great week there was most definitely a lot of separation among students. 

One of the best parts of spirit week is coming together as a school and having a great time during the assembly. Stugo senior representative Jackson Morwood explained, “We felt more separated than ever, and it was a tough challenge for us to overcome.” 

Student government typically has an entire block together to work together and plan things such as homecoming. Because of this year’s circumstances, things were a little different. The entire student government was cut in half with the new hybrid learning plan, a big change from their typical schedule. Creating plans and fresh ideas without ever all being together was very complicated. Stugo had so much on their shoulders in the first place, and their lives were made even harder. This separation also created a lack of togetherness among stugo.

Senior stugo rep Madi Nelson explained, “It was more difficult because of how many kids were online. We weren’t truly together and it made things much harder.” Sharing ideas and working together was much more difficult, but the student government did a great job with the cards they were dealt. Despite all of these hardships, our student government managed to put together a wonderful week.