From Chick-fil-A and Winnie-the-Pooh costumes to PB poms performing at the pep rally, Homecoming Week 2014 was a symbol of the pride Paint Branch students have for the school. The theme for this year’s homecoming, which ran from October 20th to October 25th, was “Superheroes and Villains.”

The first day of Homecoming, or Spirit, Week as it is also known, was Pajama Day. On this day, students and even some staff members wore onesies, pajamas, robes, Uggs, slippers, Crocs, and anything that could be viewed as bedtime wear. Some even decided to bring blankets and stuffed animals. Thoughts on this relaxed and comfortable day all centered on just how fun it is to see people at school in pajamas.

“A lot of people dressed up,” said tenth grader Samuel Adbesin. “Some wore funny stuff, and some of them looked ridiculous!”
“Pajama Day put the students in a very relaxed mood for the rest of the day,” noted U.S. History teacher Mr. Walker.

Tuesday was Mirror Image or Twin, Day. Quite a few people were ready for this day, including social studies teachers who wore matching flannel shirts and administrators who wore matching white shirts and black ties. Some of the student twins included “Thing One” and “Thing Two” costumes, vibrant purple skirts, and colorful ties.

“I like Spirit Week. I like to be festive,” said eleventh grader Queen Angu. “I texted my twin, and we came to an agreement to wear the same clothes.”
Several other students, like Mehreen Qudsi, a twelfth grader, believed that Mirror Image Day was a “way to get closer to your friends.”

During lunch, class volunteers from each grade level worked with class sponsors cutting out, tracing, and building arches for the competition. This, and other behind-the-scenes work by dedicated individuals helped make Homecoming and Spirit Week great.

Senior Class President Gloria Okeke shared, “It’s been cool working with different people. It’s been a lot of work, so the more people that come to help, the better. This is my final year, and I want to show my school spirit!”

Near the Grand Staircase, music blasted as students competed in the Cake Walk — game similar to musical chairs — in the hope of winning a cupcake.

Wednesday was Wacky Tacky Day, and students and staff went all out, wearing mismatched earrings, different-colored socks and shoes, neon pink sweaters with green shorts, beards made of yarn, flowers on their heads, odd hairstyles, tutus, and coconut bras. “It’s a fun day; I have a lot of crazy costumes, so I went through them and picked the craziest ones,” said eleventh grader Cooper Quinn.

Thursday was Super Heroes and Villains (aka Alter Ego) Day and Toga Day for seniors. Students and staff decked themselves out in Batman costumes, Hello Kitty outfits, blonde wigs with maxi dresses, and more. Seniors stole the show, however, with Greco-Roman styled togas made of white sheets or towels.

Friday was School Colors Day, a day where each grade wore a distinct colored class T-shirt. Students raved throughout the day, eagerly awaiting the pep rally that would occur at the end of the day. Of course, that night’s homecoming football game also had people amped up.

At the Pep Rally, while some grades seemed less fervent than others, the overall crowd noise filled the gym as all of the fall sports teams were introduced. The PB Marching Band, Color Guard, Poms, Cheerleading Squad, Jazz Singers, and Guy Poms brought down the house as the MC’s for the event kept it rolling along.

Overall, Homecoming 2014 was a big success. As Monday began, the week seemed endless, but as the last people filtered out of the dance on Saturday night, a feeling of exhaustion pulling them home, it seemed to have all passed by so fast.