“Writer Swap” is a collaboration with the newspaper of San Juan Diego Catholic High School in Austin, Texas. We will work with their editors to hear stories and traditions from their school and see the differences in our Holy Cross institutions.
During homecoming week, San Juan Diego experienced a celebration of spirit, creativity, and pride. Each day brought activities that built community, excitement, and participation, while embracing the school’s predominantly Hispanic culture. Our theme of “Hollywood and Red Carpet” wasn’t just about having fun, it was about everyone coming together to embrace who we are as a school.
The week began with “Dress Like a Teacher Day,” where students had fun switching roles with their educators and mimicking their styles. The morning started off with the Saints Parent Association (SPA) sponsoring a pancake breakfast, giving everyone a cheerful boost before classes. In addition to swapped outfits, the halls were filled with everything from strollers to grocery carts as students found innovative ways to hold their books for “Anything But a Backpack Day.” Students went all out with one group even bringing tires from Circuit of the Americas, a famous racetrack in Austin, Texas that hosts popular events like Formula 1, NASCAR, and motorcycle racing.
Day two was “Twin/Matching Day,” where groups of students dressed up together to express appreciation for their friendships. There was also a door-decorating contest where groups picked different movies to depict on classroom doors. The results made our hallways look vibrant and welcoming, showing off each student’s creativity.
Our cultural celebration took place on day three with a smaller version of a quinceañera party. Every girl who has had a quince was invited to wear their dresses to school, and the guys were invited to dress as chamberlains. Even if students didn’t have a dress or a chamberlain outfit, they were invited to dress like a guest to a quince. Overall, it was a reminder of how our culture plays a big role in our community, and how proud we are to celebrate Hispanic heritage through music, fashion, and tradition.
On day four, we had our most active and entertaining day of the week: “Sports and Field Day.” Students were invited to wear their favorite jersey or sports gear, and several clubs hosted special activities for students. For example, the National Honors Society hosted a blood drive on campus to support the organization We Are Blood. At the end of the day, the student government hosted an activity called “Soak a Senior” to raise funds for a school event coming up. Students would pay money per the amount of water being poured on each student; by the end, teachers also decided to join in on the activity, increasing the revenue.
At San Juan Diego, our Fridays are very special to us since they are when we attend Mass. We wanted to bring homecoming to our sacred day, so students were encouraged to wear their “Sunday Best” for Mass, allowing us to show God our love in a different way than in the past. As we entered His house, the space was filled with color, spirit, and joy. At the end of the day we had a pep rally, leading to a tailgate for our football game later that evening. Our school was filled with music, competition, and celebration of the community we had built and the legacy we are trying to establish.
The week concluded with our Saturday homecoming dance, “Hollywood, Night on the Red Carpet.” Everyone was dressed in their best outfits, taking photos, laughing, and dancing the night away. It was a perfect ending to a week that captured the heart of San Juan Diego: fun, faith, friendship, and pride. Homecoming Week was more than just a series of events; it was a celebration of who we are as a school. It brought people together, strengthened our sense of community, and reminded us that San Juan Diego is more than a place to learn; it’s a family.
