Homecoming. A tradition started over 100 years ago urging alumni from the University of Missouri-Columbia to come to watch their football game.   

At Junipero Serra High School, it is a night to remember. It is their only football game under the lights, making it a special event. Serra went head-to-head against Archbishop Mitty High School, coming out on top and defeating them. At the end of the first quarter, the Padres were tied 7-7 but were expected to score more points. They were down 21-7 at the beginning of the second quarter and by halftime, they were back up to 21-21. The third quarter Serra scored another 14 points but Mitty returned scoring 9 points. The Padres ended up winning the game 35-29 making it their fourth win in their undefeated season. 

“I love going to the homecoming game because it’s fun to be with all my friends and support and cheer on my friends on the football team,” says NDB senior Delaney Walsh. 

This year’s game theme was whiteout, and the Serra student section, as well as spectators, wore all-white to be on-theme. During every touchdown, there was white powder thrown up in the air by the student section to complete the white-out theme. 

Serra High School Senior and Varsity football player Damon Lewis spoke to The Catalyst about what goes on at Serra the week before. 

“We have eating contests, as well as tournament basketball games,” Lewis said, “And then you have the seniors give their jerseys to a teacher of their choice that is inspirational to them.” 

Lewis answered what his favorite part of homecoming was with, “Definitely the opening kickoff.” Saying,” Just the adrenaline and the big rush that you get. It’s indescribable. You can’t get that any other way.” Damon Lewis says that this his favorite part of the homecoming game. He says that the whole game is really hyped up because of the fact this is the only Friday night game. “It really means a lot having a Friday night where we get to bring the lights and having that little community there.” 

This is a very popular event throughout the tri-school community, especially for both Mercy and NDB cheerleaders. The two schools split the game in half, with NDB cheering the first half and Mercy cheering the second half. NDB and Mercy get the chance to do a halftime routine together making almost 100 girls out on the field together. This is the perfect event that unifies our tri-schools together. 

While cheering, NDB seniors held pink poms in support of Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Katie Staas, an NDB senior, cheered at her last homecoming this year. 

“My favorite part of homecoming would be doing the halftime performance,” Staas says, “ we really work hard on it and it’s fun to showcase our skills.” NDB cheerleaders put in a lot of effort to look their best when cheering on the sidelines. They practice every Thursday afternoon working on new stunts, perfecting cheers, and dancing to the band chants. “We have to be able to call offense, defense, and general cheers,” Staas says, “So we have to know what’s going on in the game.”

The cheerleaders over at Mercy Burlingame always get excited about cheering at the homecoming game. 

When speaking to Mercy senior Sophia Godfrey, “I think I enjoy cheering during the game most, and then hanging out with my friends and watching the rest of the game after” she says.  

“I do like splitting the game with Notre because the games can get kind of long, so it’s nice to have someone to split it with.’ Godfrey says, “I also think its really cool we get to perform together during halftime.”

Serra Homecoming is the perfect event to establish a sense of community not only within tri-school but with alumni, parents, and supporters of the Padres to come together and cheer them to victory.