September 21 through September 26 will be filled with creative themes, school pride, and fun
By Lorelai Horohov + Olivia Palmer
SANFORD – Get ready, Spartans! The High School’s homecoming is next week. We invite all students, staff, and families to show true Spartan pride by rocking themed outfits and packing the stands at our home games.
This year’s theme is Animations Around the World. Throughout the week, classes will go head-to-head to win the ultimate prize: the spirit stick, which has been passed down through generations of Sanford alumni. Earn points for your class by participating in dress-up days, attending home games, painting banners, creating crash-throughs, and building parade floats for the annual homecoming parade.
When asked, Freshman Class Advisor Sarah Nickerson said, “I love homecoming week for many reasons. I love seeing students come together in their crash-through, posters, and parade floats. The pep rally is one of my favourites too!” She has been working with freshman students to create their crash-through, posters, and even build the parade float.
The greater Sanford community and staff are encouraged to participate and show up to the following events.
SHS Homecoming Week Daily Lineup:
Kicking off Monday, September 21, with Meme Day
Dress up: Start up the week by dressing as your favorite internet meme!
Game: Varsity Boys’ home soccer game @ 7:00 pm
For this game only, there will be Individual themes for each grade to dress up for:
- Freshmen – Baby Shower
- Sophomores – Birthday Party
- Juniors – Slumber Party
- Seniors – Grad Party
Tuesday, September 22, Camo Day
Dress-up theme: The school will come together and blend in, wearing their best camo colored clothes.
Game: Stand out and come to the Varsity Girls’ Soccer game @ 7:00 pm decked out in Neon colors.
Wednesday, September 23, Animations Around the World
Each class will be taking on a different animated classic that they’ve chosen as their theme to focus on for the week, including,
- Freshmen as Ratatouille,
- Sophomores as Madagascar
- Juniors as Lilo and Stitch
- And lastly, Seniors as Rio!
There is no game scheduled for this night.
Thursday, September 24, Senior Citizen Day
Fast forward a few decades and show up or show out in your best elderly outfits on Thursday, September 24. It is a big night for Sanford athletics, so come out and support our teams, showing off your USA spirit at all events that evening.
4:00 pm Cross Country Meet
5:00 pm Field Hockey Game
7:00 pm Volleyball Game
Friday, September 25, Red and White Day
Show up to school showing off your ultimate Sanford pride! We have our pep rally during Spartan Time and Block 4. Get ready to bring the noise and spirit. The afternoon includes community celebrations, including the annual homecoming parade starting at 4:15 pm. This season, there will be some changes, such as the parade route, so we’ve provided an updated map. For those who plan to leave you should arrive at the school at 4pm to watch the floats at 4:15, and support your class. Make sure you don’t plan to leave yet— because the school has set up a small ‘block party’ which will include Kona Ice along with other fun and inflatable activities.
The event will begin behind the red wing and continue in a circle around the school, compared to years when the parade began at the tennis courts.
Friday the 25th will conclude the Homecoming week, but not without ending on a high note. Don’t miss finding out who the homecoming queen is; the Grand Marshall this year, Mr. Way, more casually referred to as K-way, who says that his favorite part of homecoming “by far is students rising up…[and the] energy in the building…”.The class winner of the spirit stick will be announced at halftime, so make sure to stick around and see!
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Finally, get ready to dance the night away, Spartans! The highly anticipated homecoming dance will take place on Saturday, September 26, from 7:00 pm to 10:00 pm. Be ready to celebrate the ultimate finale to Spirit Week, and you won’t want to miss out on the music, high energy, and, of course, the unforgettable memories with your friends. No need to stress about buying tickets in advance; just dress to impress and bring 10$ for admission at the front door when you arrive. Let’s make Sanford High School Homecoming 2026 a night to remember.
Former 2026 class advisor and last year’s Grand Marshall, Mrs. Murphy-Putnam, was asked why kids should get involved and participate in the events of homecoming week. “Because it’s amazing; when else in your life are you going to be able to dress up wicked weird and go scream at a game?”
Students are encouraged to participate in all of the events throughout the week, support their school, and overall have an amazing, spirited homecoming week.
