Haunted Mansion: Homecoming 2025

A spooky theme kicks off the celebration September 27-October 4, 2025

Isaiah Luna, Di’anna Stevens, and Juli Davila • 164 Views

September 28, 2025

Homecoming football starts in....

It's time for Homecoming football!

Are you ready for a haunted Homecoming? For the first time in many years, the 2025 homecoming events will fall in October, making this the perfect opportunity to have a spooky theme.

The Haunted Mansion homecoming week starts on the 27th of September and runs to the 4th of October.

Homecoming week is here. It is often a great way to build school spirit and a sense of community. The events, such as spirit week dress-up days, pep rallies, and the parade, encourage students from different groups and grades to work together and have fun. This can help create stronger bonds and a more welcoming school environment. It also offers a fun break from schoolwork, which can help students feel less stressed. It’s a chance to make lasting memories with friends and is often a major highlight of the school year, especially for seniors.

Homecoming History

A point of confusion is found in the 1946 yearbook when Dorothy Schmid was also chosen as homecoming queen. It is possible this is the same person but the last names were mixed up. Also, it is possible that one Dorothy was crowned queen and the other Dorothy placed the crown on her head. (Estie VerCande)

National History

The history of homecoming is interesting, and its start is debated, but it definitely began at American universities in the early 1900s. The main goal was to invite former students, or alumni, to “come home” and reconnect with their old school.

While many schools claim to have started the tradition, the most common story credits the University of Missouri in 1911. Their athletic director, Chester Brewer, wanted more people to show up for the annual football game against their rival, the University of Kansas. To get alumni to come back to campus, he organized a parade, a pep rally, and a bonfire to go along with the big game. The event was a huge success, attracting thousands of returning alumni and setting the stage for all future homecomings.

Still, other schools like Baylor University and the University of Illinois also have strong claims, saying they had similar events as early as 1909 and 1910. Regardless of who was first, the tradition quickly spread to colleges everywhere. By the 1930s, it had made its way to high schools. When it moved to high schools, new parts were added, like the homecoming court, which started as a way to choose a king and queen to represent the student body. So, homecoming’s roots are in creating school spirit, bringing alumni and students together, and building a sense of community around a big event, usually a football game.

This yearbook page from 1946 shows a calendar of sorts that includes October 28 as the date of the Orpheum performances. This is believed to be the start of homecoming traditions at EHS. (Estie VerCande)

Englewood High School Homecoming History

The first rendition of homecoming at EHS was called the Orpheum. Rather than dress-up days, spirit activities, and a dance, the Orpheum was a display of performances from various clubs at EHS. Later, in 1946, there is a mention of Homecoming taking place around the same time of year that it still does today. In 1946, we see that the first homecoming queen was Dorothy Tremaine.

Hall Decorating

Dress up days!

“You only get four years of high school, so you might as well make it count, right?” senior Logan Mael said. He chose not to dress up for the Monster day Monday, but thinks Spirit Days are really important. Junior Cody Boucher dresses up every day of Homecoming, “It shows more of a school spirit and you can show your personality and pride.”

Senior Yandel Munoz hopes more people participate in the dress up days as the week continues, “Life is too short not to participate.” Munoz took to the stores on the Sunday morning so he could take part, “I went to Walmart on Sunday morning at 7:00 am and bought my furry boots.”

The senior class vice-president TJ Stewart loves Homecoming, “Because it kicks off the spirit for the school year.” Her favorite part of Homecoming week is the activities on Wednesday, “Homecoming powderpuff, because I play flag football outside of school, and I’m able to show my skills during powderpuff.”

Brianna Mahler is a freshman and this is her first Homecoming, “I think it brings people together and it makes a lot of people connected with spirit days.” Freshman Joseph Segura “Homecoming is important to the spirit of Englewood. I feel like everyone should go to see if they would like it or not.”

Math teacher Jess McMurray is also new to Englewood and can’t wait to celebrate, “It gets everyone a chance to get on the same page, be on the same team and work together.”

The events of the week start off with a slow ramp up to huge events Wednesday. It includes the kindergarten event, the powderpuff game and the bonfire, “I think they are pretty cool. I like all the costumes. I think they are going to be awesome and I can’t wait,” junior Xavier Webb said.

Twin Tuesday & Roshambo

Rock, paper, scissors! – Tuesday

Coach Sean Stetler teaches Pirate 101, Global Studies, AP Human Geography, and AP Psychology. He dressed up for Sports Day to show his support for his favorite team, “I’ve got a favorite hometown team from Philadelphia, the Eagles, so never going to miss my opportunity to wear my Eagles jersey to work.” He believes that school spirit through costumes is most effective when everyone participates.

Homecoming Tickets!

Hallway Decorating

Hallway Decorating took place on September 27th. Each class had its own hallway to decorate. Seniors have the hallway in front of the library, Juniors have the math hallway, Sophomores have the social studies hallway by the weight room entrance, and Freshmen have the Language Arts hallway. Everyone is welcome to show up on the day to lend a hand! Not to mention that Hallway Decorating counts as Community Service!

Also Tuesday, Rock, Paper, Scissors Challenge

Thursday Challenge:

Powderpuff Practice: Wed. Oct. 1- 6th- 2:20-3:30

Powderpuff & Bonfire: Oct. 1, 6:30 pm

Also, Pirates, get ready to start a brand-new tradition! On October 1st, we welcome the Class of 2038 into our Pirate Community! Before the Powderpuff game, our Englewood Kindergarteners will join us on the field. They’ll line up in the middle, and we’ll meet them halfway to exchange our Pirate spirit! All students who come out will receive a free Englewood Pirate rubber bracelet! Plus, the class with the highest attendance will win a special treat in Thursday’s Seminar and extra class points for homecoming!

Hoco Game: Oct 3rd 7:00 pm

The Homecoming football theme is Blue Out!

Hoco Dance: Oct 4th 7-10 pm

Let’s talk about dance eligibility. To attend Homecoming or any school dance this year, your attendance rate must be 75% or higher for the current semester. If your attendance is 95% or better, you’ll get into the dance for free.

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About the Contributors

Di’anna Stevens, Writer

My name is Di’anna Stevens. I am in 9th grade. I am from Denver Colorado, this is my first year in Englewood. I think it is important that Englewood students know good information about the school.

PirateTV

Bryce Borchardt, Photographer and editor

My name is Bryce Borchardt. I am in ninth grade. I was born in Virginia and moved to Englewood far before I can even remember traveling. I believe it’s important that students at Englewood have good information.

Alayna Liljenquist Beyer, photographer

My name is Alayna Liljenquist Beyer. I am in ninth grade, I have been in englewood schools for a year. I think it is important that englewood students know good information about the school.