You’re Invited to the parade and football game on Friday, September 24th

Joy! Pure joy is what I’ve observed at the Homecoming warehouses as students work to get their Homecoming floats, dances, skits, lip-sync, and murals together! Although exhausting for these kids, it is the ONE thing many graduates talk about when they share their high school memories with me. This year is extra special for them because, although different from Homecomings in the past, they get to have a Homecoming! As we all know, school is much more than the content we teach in our classrooms -- it is also about the activities students engage in outside of the classroom that help them learn. As a recovering Student Activities Director, I experienced this first hand at another California High School.

Students learn so many skills through Homecoming. They learn about budgeting, soliciting donations, coordinating and scheduling volunteers and workers, implementing timelines, the frustration of motivating those who are resistant to contribute, construction skills, how to communicate effectively, engineering large structures… the list goes on. Homecoming is a massive project-based learning assignment that builds confidence in our students and a sense of team among the Ukiah High classes. Additionally, homecoming brings our community together – all of the donations of time, materials, trucks, and warehouses from our generous parents and local businesses are greatly appreciated.

This year’s homecoming week theme is Cities. Each grade level votes on a city and color. Las Vegas, Hollywood, Nashville, and New Orleans were the winners. Throughout the week, students will participate in dress-up days like wear your class color, dress in your class theme, or wear purple and gold. Students and staff planned several rallies. The traditional lip-sync contest will happen, and each class puts on a skit related to the theme, or what I think of as four Broadway-style musical performances complete with costumes, dancing, and props. These shows are really something and take a lot of work! Unfortunately, due to COVID restrictions, only students and staff are allowed at these events this year, however, the events will be live-streamed.

The week’s crescendo is our Homecoming Parade at 3:30 p.m. on the 24th, which will wind its way along the usual route. After voting earlier in the week, UHS Royalty will be crowned on the field at halftime of the varsity football game. Varsity football starts at 7:00 p.m., following the JV game, which begins at 4:30 p.m. Ukiah Unified students can go to any Ukiah Unified home sporting event for free this school year, including homecoming. Students should bring their student ID or class schedule or wear their school spirit shirt for free admission to any Ukiah Unified sporting event. Parents can pick up their free pass at Ukiah High Student Activities. A big thank you to our Ukiah Unified trustees for making this happen!  

I invite you all to come out to the Ukiah High School Homecoming Parade and the Football Game on Friday, September 24th. Please take part in our chance to help spread more joy for our kids. How about a community-wide dress-up day? Let’s all wear purple and gold next Friday to support the fantastic work of these students, their families, and faculty advisors!