Essay On Homecoming

There are few things that Texans love more than high school football. Once the football season is in full swing, Texans bring out their traditions. Tailgating, pep rallies, sold out stadiums for home games, and most importantly Homecoming. Homecoming has its own traditions, such as honoring alumni, spirit week, the parade, and homecoming court. While these rituals may be commonplace in most states, there is one particular practice that is so uniquely Texan, so big and flashy that no other state has and quite frankly not many would want, homecoming mums and garters. This gaudy fascinator status symbol has embedded itself into Texan culture and materialistically shapes the way that high school students view their peers.

What is a Mum?
Having gone to high school in Dallas and hence moved elsewhere, I have more often than not, experienced that people are not only unfamiliar, but are utterly confused by what they are and more importantly why on earth we have them. The best way I have been able to explain it is a giant plastic or silk chrysanthemum flower mounted on what looks like a first place ribbon for horses from the fair, with ribbons, streamers, feather boas, bells, and candy hanging from it. Freshmen, sophomore, and junior mums are school colors and seniors get the honor of theirs being white with silver and gold. Typically, …show more content…
While on anything else having something tacky and flamboyant is considered bad, in this case they are supposed to love it and love being judged by that alone. “But is it possible to have a giant, flashy ribbon without those social ramifications? I 'm pretty sure that human nature, paired with high school makes social horrors impossible to avoid altogether.” In the land of pageants and big hair, its not that big of a stretch and it has become so engrained into Texas culture that it will likely continue to