Everyone is familiar with the stress of homecoming. Mustering up the courage to ask a crush to the dance, finding a dress that may never be worn again, and deciding the perfect scene for awkward group photos can be a lot of pressure. Messing up could cost innocent partygoers their reputation. To help minimize the chances of a fashion fail, most girls take many hours to get ready, with hair, nail, and makeup appointments. Boys get to borrow their father’s car, and the pressure of a good impression on their date’s parents can be a lot for some. This stress is only intensified when students have a sport or extracurricular the morning of homecoming.
This year, on the morning of September 26, there is a golf match in Pekin, Illinois at Lick Creek golf course. Although the match starts at 8:30 a.m., sophomore Emily Ducaji says that “it may not finish for seven to eight hours.” That means that the match will end around 3:00 p.m. Pekin is about an hour away, so the golf team members may not return home until around 4:00 p.m. Supposing that students arrive at the dance at 8:00, eat at 7:00, and take pictures at 6:00, that leaves students two hours to get ready, rushed hair and makeup, crooked ties and, as was said earlier, awkward group photos.
Golf has not been the only sport affected by these out-of-town meets. Cross Country had a meet at Detweiller Park in Peoria, Illinois on the date of homecoming last year.While a Peoria meet isn’t affecting the team this year, there is still a meet here in Springfield at Lincoln Park. Junior Sydney House recalls the stress of Peoria last year. “I knew that if I didn’t get back in time, everything would fall apart, from my look to the pictures.” She emphasizes how much stress a sport can actually cause. “Having a meet on homecoming almost gave me an anxiety attack.”
Not only do meets, matches, and games affect the preparation process of the athlete, they affect the processes of guests as well. Sophomore Emily Ducaji is hosting a before and after party at her house. “It might affect how the other girls get ready at my house.” Ducaji will have before and after parties complete with pictures, dinner, a movie, and swimming. For a party of this extent, timing is crucial.
The stress that preparing for homecoming causes is only intensified when extracurriculars are added to the mix. Out of town meets, matches, and games can drive a person to the point of insanity.
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