Spray-painted bedsheets hang on railings, poster supplies from Ms. Kallem’s room run low, and the team from Oakton remains unspoken. A week like no other, Homecoming has long been a favorite of Potomac students and faculty for all the right reasons.
This year’s festivities featured everything from jungle costumes, Homecoming poster making, and jersey swaps, all leading up to Friday’s full slate of home games and the bonfire afterward. For Student Body President Armaan Sethi ‘26, the magic of Homecoming lies in its ability to bring together all corners of the Upper School. He said that his favorite part is “how all four grades can gather together in the Crossroads to dance and feed off each other’s energy,” adding how few school events can create a similar sense of shared excitement. The bonfire, he said, remains a highlight, stating, “Everybody’s on the turf throwing frisbees, footballs, and enjoying themselves together.”
That camaraderie isn’t accidental; behind the scenes, the Senior Activities Committee (SAC) plans events and activities months in advance to build anticipation and school spirit. When asked if this year felt different from others, SAC member Gus Tierney ‘26 responded, “It’s pretty cool and weird at the same time…I remember always wanting to be a part of SAC, and now that I am, having a hand in things like the Homecoming video is fun.” His favorite part of the week is typically Fall Frolics; since the football game, a usual conflict with Fall Frolics, was on Friday and not Saturday this year, he noted how he would “be able to go and enjoy getting as much candy as [he] could from the Guess-the-Candy counter like [he] did as a Lower Schooler.”
While seniors such as Gus see the week as bittersweet and nostalgic, for many freshmen, it’s an exciting introduction to Upper School. Sachin Paddock ‘29 expressed his eagerness for grade-level Color Day earlier in the week, joking, “All the other grades’ colors are atrocious…we have the best class and look to make a statement in orange on Thursday.” When asked about his thoughts on the dance itself, he admitted, “I’m mainly excited to take pictures and experience what a real Homecoming, or ‘dance,’ is like.”
For Upper School math teacher and Grade 11 dean Ms. Julie Wong, Homecoming isn’t just a week of festivities but also a bridge between generations of the Potomac community. The tradition, she said, “holds special meaning for alumni who return to celebrate the times they spent at Potomac.” She also appreciates how the events have continued to evolve, from adding shuttles after the bonfire and dance to seeing that all “asks” are outside of academic periods. Reflecting on her role in balancing the past and present, Ms. Wong noted, “Traditions are important…and it’s equally important that they can change and improve as the times and needs of our community change.”
By the end of the week, the Panthers dominating the Huskies, the statements made on spirit days, the energy of the pep rally, and the applause for all the successful Hoco “asks” contributed to the pride felt on Potomac School Road. For students and faculty, it’s more than a week of festivities; it’s a reminder of what it means to be a part of something larger than yourself.
