By Rachel Haynes, Staff Writer
Homecoming week is both an exciting and busy time of year for Poly bears, but did you stop to think about the history behind it? Principal Hansen provides an insight to our school’s longest running tradition.
Poly Highschool, I’m sure many of you are aware, has been around since 1887, meaning it is filled with rich history and traditions. There are small traditions such as singing “A Day in the Life” by the Beatles at graduation and awarding our Bears of Distinction, but the biggest traditions by far are the ones that take place during homecoming week: float building, the parade and the carnival.
While he is unsure about the exact amount of time the parade has been around, Hansen does know that this tradition “long predates this campus.” He says that “they do have pictures of the parade when we were at the RCC campus (Poly has had four different campus locations). The parade at one time went down Magnolia Avenue.” The best estimate is that the parade has been around for at least seventy years, but there is a high chance it has been around for longer.
Float building has also been around the same amount of time as the parade. While other high schools used to participate, Poly has been the only one to keep this practice. Hansen says that the floats have “certainly developed over the years,” gaining more detail and extravagance. This year’s floats were all fabulous; however, the junior float was the winner of this year’s competition.
In fact, all of the homecoming events have increased in participation and popularity. This year, over 40 clubs had booths at the carnival, and the parade now includes sports teams, middle school cheerleading and more music. Hansen says that he’s seen a “growth in our community involvement. Now we have the police force and the fire department getting more involved.” The churches and nearby elementary schools are also attending the parade. Hansen expects the engagement during homecoming to only increase over the years. “We’re now at a point, I believe, where people wouldn’t want it to go away.” With a supportive school district and city backing-up the parade, it is obvious that participation will decrease anytime soon. Overall, the tradition has brought together the community of Riverside.
Clearly, we hold tradition very close to our hearts here at Poly, but why? Why is tradition so important? “I think the culture of a school is built around traditions”, says Mr. Hansen. It’s what really separates Poly and makes this place so special.” It is important to have traditions in order to culture . This culture is what connects all students together, including those from the past and future. It is evident that an established tradition brings a sense of community on a school campus, which is a very valuable thing that not all schools have.
Principal Hansen always encourages attendance to the homecoming events. It is important to enjoy homecoming week and get involved at your school! Next year, if you decide to participate in homecoming week, think about how the students from seventy years ago were doing the very same thing you are. This tradition has a way of connecting all Poly Bears, which is pretty special.