Lincoln-Way West High School recently celebrated an unforgettable Homecoming Week filled with spirit and camaraderie. Principal Theodore “Ted” Robbins, who has been part of the district for decades, highlighted the record-breaking student participation and the sense of school pride that made this year’s celebration one of the most memorable in the school’s history.
The festivities kicked off with the Homecoming Olympics, where more than 1,300 students formed 110 teams to compete in a variety of friendly games and competitions. The games were followed by themed spirit days, a high-energy Pep Rally filled with class competitions, and a thrilling homecoming football game, all leading up to the much-anticipated dance that celebrated the school community.
“Seeing all the students and staff involved and enjoying the events of the week together as a school community is something I look forward to every year,” Dr. Robbins said.
According to Robbins, the planning and execution of Homecoming Week is a year-long endeavor, with staff and student leaders collaborating to ensure everything runs smoothly. Student Council sponsors Mrs. Ende and Mrs. Laack played key roles in organizing the week’s events, including the spirit days, decorations, and the dance. Mrs. Novak, the Student Activities Director, coordinated the Homecoming Olympics and Pep Rally while also working to involve more students in the festivities than ever before. This year’s celebration featured a special performance of the National Anthem by renowned singer Jim Cornelison, which added an extra touch of excitement to the event.
“Our staff goes over and above to make it a memorable week for the students,” Robbins said.
For Robbins, who has experienced numerous homecomings in various roles throughout his career, the celebration is not just a series of events but a symbol of the school’s positive culture and community spirit. He emphasized how special homecoming is for the LWW community.
“The number of students and staff participating in the activities during the week is second to none,” Robbins said. “It offers them numerous opportunities to be a Warrior and connected to their school.”
The weeklong event concluded with the Homecoming Dance on Saturday, Sept. 21, where students gathered for a night of music, dancing, and memories that will last a lifetime. With the school decorated and students dressed in their best, it was the perfect end to a week that brought everyone together.
“Seeing how much our students and staff enjoy and come together for the activities during the entire week is a symbol of the positive school culture that we work extremely hard to achieve,” Robbins said. “We genuinely enjoy seeing the smiles on the students’ faces at all the events throughout the week.”