Since the pandemic started, students across the nation have been, for the most part, deprived of the privilege of joining together to celebrate.

At Patchogue-Medford High School, homecoming—one of their most popular events—has not been held for the past two years. This year, however, as things return to a version of almost normal, homecoming at Patchogue-Medford is back on.

The event is set to be on Oct. 16 and is themed around ‘90s sitcoms. According to Gina Romani, advisor for General Organization, the itinerary of the night is a parade in Patchogue, followed by skits in the Patchogue-Medford High School auditorium, then during the football game (PMHS vs. Brentwood). As per tradition, there will also be a halftime announcement of the homecoming court and the winners of the competitions.

The night will commemorate school spirit, uncrushed by the difficulty of the pandemic, while also following district protocol to prevent the spread of COVID-19. The most significant part of the event is that it is the first homecoming since the pandemic began.

“It feels good to get kids back to doing homecoming activities, which is such a big part of our school culture,” Romani said, especially after the past year of isolation.

It is a way to remind the students who they are as a school, that they work collectively, learn collectively, and celebrate collectively, and nothing, not even a virus, can change that.

“No other district does homecoming like Patchogue-Medford. The class advisors and the General Organization devote many hours to making homecoming an unforgettable experience for students and the community,” added Romani.

For more information on homecoming, visit the Patchogue-Medford website or district social media.