RAYMO’S RAMBLINGS – REMEMBERING HOMECOMING
Remembering Homecoming
Around the area schools have been celebrating homecoming. Homecoming has always been a pretty big deal around here. That got me thinking about my homecoming when I was in school. I remember my senior year homecoming at Madison high school very well in the fall of 1975.
I have attended many homecomings at different schools over the years of broadcasting high school sports. Lac qui Parle Valley, Dawson/Boyd, Minneota, Montevideo and Canby to just name a few. Each school does homecoming a little different and each school always has something unique in staying with traditional school activities.
The traditional high school homecoming involves a homecoming court, parade, dress up days, pep rallies, powder puff football, bands, dances. Oh and a football game, which usually is scheduled against a weaker opponent.
I don’t know why this is, but I remember my homecoming senior year like it was yesterday. It was the fall of 1975, and a very warm day.
It started with the coronation on Monday, with the crowning of our queen Ginny Tasto. Since I was the student council president I got to count the queen votes with Mr. Glomstad the principal. So I knew a few days ahead of time who the queen was going to be. Madison didn’t crown a king then. After the coronation our class went down to the fairgrounds to build our float on a hayrack. We had lots of colored tissue paper to make the float. We covered the hay rack with chicken wire and stuffed the tissues in the chicken wire. I do not remember what the float was. I do remember loud 70’s music being played. Everyone was helping to build it and we celebrated with Ginny becoming homecoming queen. Ginny was so happy and smiling all the time.
The other big event was the homecoming parade down main street Madison. I remember how many people were on main street during the parade. The football team got to ride on top of the Madison fire trucks. Cheerleaders and the band lead the parade. Each class had a float. The parade was before the football game. I remember having so much fun during the parade.
Our football team was undefeated and unscored upon when we played the Ortonville Trojans. We were leading at halftime and shutting out the Trojans. Then Ortonville scored in the second half and ended up beating us. One of the worst losses I experienced playing high school sports. Spoiling our homecoming.
I remember going to the dance in the old gym, and of course dancing with my girlfriend, Roxie Hanson most of the night. She wouldn’t let me dance with other girls 🙂 She’s very protective 🙂 After the dance we went over to her house and watched our favorite Friday night tv show. The Midnight Special with Wolfman Jack.
Homecoming was fun and it still is. I enjoy watching the kids and fans come out and celebrate homecoming. It’s always a happy time, unless your football team gets upset in the homecoming game.
