It will “the most magical place on earth” between Oct. 4-12 at Elkhart High School, as students embrace their “Disney” during this year’s Believe in Magic Homecoming Week.

Homecoming–commonly known as Hoco–is an American high school tradition that dates back to the nineteenth century. It features dancing, music, and basking in the afterglow of a spirited football game. Often, alumni return to cheer on their team. Whether a Charger, Blazer, or Lion–all will gather this year at Rice Field for a 7 p.m. game against the Mishawaka Marian Knights.

However, the events that night will be preceded by a host of other activities leading up to it. On Friday, Oct. 4, a pep session is planned at the school. Oct. 7’s dodgeball tournament will then kick off a series of competitions. Class Olympics follows on Oct. 9, and the football game–complete with parade–concludes the sporting aspect to Homecoming. All are slated to begin at 7 p.m.

Amariah Jennings, a cheerleader for the EHS team, is bubbling over with anticipation for the game. “The football game that happens beforehand is actually what I am most excited about!” she confesses. “I love seeing the players give their all while I’m cheering…it seriously makes my whole night.” 

On Saturday, Oct. 12, the week-long festivities will culminate with a magical night of dancing, which will be held in the Field House at the high school from 8-11 p.m. The cost to attend this semi-formal dance is $10. All attendees must have their photo ID. Guests cannot re-enter after leaving. Start shopping now to make sure the outfits are just as magical as this year’s theme.

EHS Student Council and Staff are working hard to provide an amazing experience for EHS students of all grades by curating themes, designing floats for the Homecoming Parade, and working with each other to create long-lasting memories for all grade levels.

Noah Dibley, a senior and Class of 2025 Student Representative, has this to say: “I’m actually really excited for Homecoming this year! The planning is coming together really well, and everyone has such great ideas. I’m so excited for everyone to see what we have planned!”

The overarching theme for Hoco EHS 2024 is “Believe in Magic,” complete with individual Disney-related themes for each grade level. For freshmen, the theme is Princess and the Frog. The sophomores is Tangled. The junior theme is based on the movie Up. And, finally, the theme for the class of 2025 seniors is Lilo and Stitch!

There will also be grade-level specific T-shirts available for purchase–including one for staff, as well–with unique designs based on a grade level’s theme. Senior Stephanie Iavagnilio unabashedly loves the Class of 2025 shirt design, based on Lilo and Stitch. “Lilo and Stitch is one of my favorite movies ever, so I’m really happy that it’s our theme for Hoco this year!” Adding, she says, “The shirt is really cute, too; the design looks really good with the tye-die.”

No matter what aspect one is most excited about relating to Elkhart High School’s Homecoming in 2024, it is bound to be a night “where magic gets real!”