On the evening of Friday, October 18, the FTHS community came together at the school’s annual Homecoming Tailgate. If you were looking for a great way to start your Homecoming experience, then this event would have been your best bet.

Firstly, staff members were barbecuing free hot dogs and hamburgers, and there was even a DJ playing music that brought people together to dance in front of the speakers. There was a photobooth, where you could take pictures with your friends to remember the day. Others were playing cornhole and at some point everyone was able to watch our football team walk to the field to warm-up for the big Homecoming game that night.

Another great aspect about the tailgate was that there were students raising money for the Make-A-Wish Foundation, taking donations for the chance for students to win a prize by throwing a ball into a bucket. 

The National Art Honor Society, or NAHS, also had a table set up where they were doing face paint and henna tattoos. When I asked NAHS secretary, Jake Rubiano, about his opinion on the homecoming festivities, he responded, “I feel that homecoming brings the opportunity to have school spirit and I’m just happy that the National Art Honor Society is able to help bring the spirit today with all that we’re doing”. Thanks to those like Jake, kids, students, and teachers alike were getting their faces painted. I’m sure seeing the pure joy on their faces made all of the work the NAHS put into organizing the tailgate, especially as a newly established extracurricular, worth it.

Members of Patriot Press were also working at the tailgate, such as head photographer Sharon Oyuela. As a senior, when I questioned her feelings about homecoming, she told me that she was really excited. Sharon was also “looking forward to getting some good photos,” and “making this homecoming the best one yet!”

Also, one of the most exciting parts of the homecoming festivities each year is seeing a teacher get pied in the face by the school mascot during the pep rally, which always takes place the afternoon before the game. This year, the student body voted for Mr. Tepedino, an AP Psychology teacher and head coach of the Varsity Boys Soccer Team. At the tailgate, however, he was more focused on his contribution to the event through his “revolutionary” slushy machine. He also seemed to enjoy the tailgate himself, exclaiming that he “ate a lot of hot dogs” and had an overall great time.

In the end, it seems as though the 2024 Homecoming Tailgate was an awesome experience. Between both teachers and students having fun participating in activities, eating food, and even trying out Mr. Tepedino’s famous slushy machine, the tailgate had something for everyone to be part of. So, if you find yourself in need of pre-game plans for Homecoming next year, make sure to check it out!