It’s noon on a warm, fall weekend. The MPR is swarming with people excited to play games, eat food, and cheer on the four sports teams playing. Baldwin Bears chant from the bleachers on the Lower Field and the smell of the Junior barbecue wafts through the air. 

The afternoon is packed with activities at club booths, exciting games, and, of course, in the evening, the dance. Students run around campus for hours on end before hurrying to their friends’ houses to get ready for the dance. The smell of burnt hair curled to perfection fills the bathroom, and flakes of glittery eyeshadow cover the tile floor. 

This experience isn’t specific to Baldwin: Homecoming is a chaotic dance of events that brings together high school students all across the country. The tradition dates back to the early 1900s, according to Seventeen Magazine. 

The Homecoming Baldwin students know, though, is quite different from how the tradition started. In the early 1900s, it began as a day to welcome school communities home from summer vacation and boost school spirit. Later, Homecoming parade floats introduced the popular tradition of Homecoming King and Queen, the magazine also wrote. 

An American festivity, “Homecoming began at colleges as a celebration for the first football game of the season, where alumni would come back to visit their former campuses,” said Seventeen Magazine: “While no one is positive which college officially started the tradition, the University of Missouri, Baylor University, and the University of Illinois all claim to have begun hosting homecoming events in 1911, 1909, and 1910.”

While Baldwin stays true to much of the tradition, it has also customized its Homecoming to better fit the (football-free) school. Along with the time-honored dance, Baldwin student-athletes play field hockey, volleyball, soccer, and tennis games against the Agnes Irwin School. The schools’ long-standing rivalry makes for lively games that Baldwin athletes are determined to win. This year, the cross-country team has also organized a fun run for all community members to participate in. 

Along with sports games, the Upper School student-run clubs organize booths for fundraising that are open to pre-K through 12 students and families. From ring tosses to bake sales, each club chooses how they will raise money. Each class also fundraises for Baldwin traditions, such as Banner Day, Ring Day, and prom. 

Of course, at the end of the night, Baldwin has its themed dance – a country “Homecoming Hoedown” is planned for this year. For most students, this is their favorite part. 

Gemma Young ‘25 said it’s her favorite part because she loves “getting dressed up for Homecoming and being able to have fun with [her] friends in a non-school setting.”

However, others prefer Baldwin-specific traditions, like the Friday-night bonfire. Fall student-athletes perform team dances and enjoy s’mores together. Amelia Dennis ‘25 and Amelia Skawinski ‘25 agreed that the bonfire is a fan-favorite. 

Avani Shah-Lipman ‘25 said the carnival is her favorite. “I feel like the homecoming carnival is the best part because you get to see all the fun things clubs are doing and cheer on your friends playing sports,” she said.

While Homecoming looks different at Baldwin than it did at universities over a century ago, it’s one of Baldwin’s most beloved traditions that brings our community closer. Although students are divided on what part of Homecoming is their favorite, they can all agree on one thing: our experiences are transformed by teammates and friends with whom the special day is shared.