Plans for School District U-46’s homecoming games and related festivities are in place, and they all include ways to recognize the class of 2020, whose senior years were upended by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Superintendent Tony Sanders said it was right to include those former students in this year’s events because they missed so much during their last year of high school, including having to celebrate their graduations virtually.
Each of district high school has planned its own activities for last year’s graduating class at their respective homecomings.
When Elgin High School plays West Chicago at 7:30 p.m. Friday, Sept. 24, they’ll be doing a special recognition of the grads during the game and a tent set up for alumni will be serving free hot dogs. The game takes place at Memorial Field, located at 1200 Maroon Drive.
The South Elgin Storm takes on Streamwood High at 7:30 p.m. Friday, Oct. 1, at their home campus stadium, 760 E. Main St. Prior to the game, the class of 2020 will be recognized at a gathering in an end zone alumni tent.
South Elgin High School also will have a homecoming parade Thursday, Sept. 30. The time and route will be announced on the school’s website, www.u-46.org/SEHS.
Larkin High School’s homecoming parade will be held in Elgin at 2 p.m. Friday, Oct. 8. The parade route can be found at www.u-46.org/Page/18544.
At 5 p.m. that evening, there will be a student and alumni tailgate and yearbook pickup at Elgin’s Memorial Field, which is where Larkin plays its home games. The homecoming game starts at 7:30 p.m., with the Royals taking on East Aurora. At halftime, alumni will be invited to march onto the field while “Pomp and Circumstance” plays.
Streamwood High School’s homecoming was Friday night, when the team took on Elgin High School. A tailgate event recognizing that class of 2020 was to be held before the 6 p.m. game.
Bartlett High School will do something similar when it plays Fenton High School for homecoming on Friday, Sept. 24. A tailgate for last year’s graduates will start at 5 p.m. followed by the game at 7:30 p.m.
Athletes, staff, and participants are required to follow the district’s COVID-19 rules, including mandatory mask usage and social distancing as much as possible.
Mike Danahey is a freelance reporter for The Courier-News.
