How do you create community when a community has to be distanced?
While the Oakwood High School staff answered questions about how to carry on the tradition of homecoming, ultimately, they created an opportunity for community and traditions on Oct. 8 during Cometfest, which replaced many of the annual Oakwood Homecoming events.
For the last 40 years, float building has been a highlight of the Oakwood High School experience.
Junior class advisor Lynn Anderson said that her favorite float of all time was a nod to Veterans.
“The seniors built a helicopter on the float and the blades turned!” she said. “Some of the seniors dressed in service clothes and walked along with the float through the parade! Quite moving and impressive!”
Raising money to build the floats, about $500 to $1000 per class, is also a community tradition. Anderson’s group gives back to the community that supports them.
“The junior class used to sell fruits for a money raiser, now for the past 15 years we have bagged groceries at County Market in Tilton,” she said. “They have been very supportive of us! We use the money for Homecoming and Prom.”
Floats are built by each class in different locations. In recent years, families with large shed host the float building.
“Kudos to them because it is an undertaking,” Anderson said. “It is a great way for students, parents, and teachers to bond as we work from Sunday to Thursday building these floats!
“We have set hours each night. The mothers plan meals for each evening, that way the students get a home cooked meal each night. They love it and they love coming to socialize and work. It is just a great experience and a memorable one for all!”
But, as the fall of 2020 approached, Anderson and student advisor Teresa Cooper knew that their tradition and community celebration would need to be different. When Anderson approached Cooper about each class donating their $500 to a charity, Cooper said she was thinking the same thing.
To kick off Cometfest, an afternoon where Oakwood High School students were able to recognize the homecoming court and play socially-distanced games, each class presented a $500 check to an organization of their choice.
The freshman class chose Survivor Resource Center; the sophomore class chose C.A.R.A.; the junior class chose the V.A. in Danville; the senior class chose CASA.
Oakwood is also having a competition amongst the classes and the teachers, of bringing in canned goods for the food pantry.
“I feel that the community will miss the parade and Homecoming in general, but will be so proud of the students giving of themselves in another generous way,” Anderson said. “I feel the students will be glad they helped out other organizations too.
“It has been a challenge to change what has always been a great experience during Homecoming: building a float, all in the gym with a huge pep assembly, the Homecoming game, eating out all dressed up, and ending with the dance. We are adapting and thinking outside the box, which is not a bad thing.”
The student council will host a Carnival on the Oakwood High School football field from 4 to 6 p.m. on October 9. Tickets for this student-only event must be purchased in advance and are $5.
The carnival will include a football toss, balloon darts, Bozo buckets and a lollipop pull, among other options. Masks are required.
