As students returned to the classroom for a new school year, startling stories about changes to this year’s Homecoming celebrations worked their way through Huntley’s student body.

Seniors would be taken off of their pedestal, forced to wear the same color as freshmen. The beloved guys’ poms routine would be cancelled. Seniors would all be punished if they protested.

All wild rumors, say student council advisor Tom Kempf, and Dean of Students Chris Duncan.

However there will be some noticeable changes to the week this year, particularly the pep rally, even if class colors and guys’ poms will be kept. Instead of the usual class-against-class games many students will remember as being a staple of the rally, the rally will focus on increasing school unity across all classes.

To achieve this aim, class versus class games will be played out after school, and earlier in the week, according to Duncan. Despite this, classes will still wear their respective classes if they wish to do so. Also, new traditions may be introduced, such as the possible presence of a DJ at the rally.

“Ever since I came here five years ago it has been ‘seniors rule all’ at Homecoming,” said Duncan. “I hate that. I want it to change this year.”

Kempf also cited another reason behind the change to the pep rally; the potential to allow Raider Nation a better pre-football game celebration.

“The idea is that the pep rally could get everybody pumped up, and then possibly out into the parking lot to tailgate.” said Kempf. “After that, people could go straight into the football game hyped up. Like one giant Raider Nation mob.”

Kempf also agrees that the final day of Homecoming week should be about the entire school, not just seniors.

“There is a time and place for [seniors to show off],” said Kempf. “But the pep rally is not it.”

Still, despite the changes not being as radical as feared, students are unhappy.

“I like things the way they were,” said senior Trevor Obecny. “The changes are stupid.”

News of changes and rumored changes has made its way past just current students, with Huntley graduate Brandon Bencko giving his opinion on the reaction to the changes.

“[The administration] has been talking about changing things for years,” said Bencko, now a student at the University of Illinois. “You’ll look back and realize that the color you wear for Homecoming isn’t that big of a deal, the memories are.”