Homecoming
It's that time of year again. Homecoming.
We asked members of the Dallas Morning News Teen Advisory Board to share their thoughts about high school tradition. Samantha Kidd, 16, a junior at Plano West Senior High School, writes about mums.
Homecoming mums used to be simple corsages — a live flower, streamers in your team’s colors and the school’s initials spelled out in pipe cleaners. They’ve evolved into a tradition a lot more garish and quite expensive.
Corsages favored at my school — Plano West — consist of one to three white mums made of fabric. Mounted on each is a bear. (The mascot is a wolf, so why the bear?) Depending on the guy’s bank account, the bear can be dressed in a sports uniform or carrying a ball.
The streamers vary — braided, sequenced or looped. You can add charms, whistles, bells, hearts, stars, mini footballs, helmets and even rabbit’s feet for luck. Some corsages sport flashing lights. They are so ridiculously heavy and large, we — meaning the girls — have to don a heavy jacket and make sure there are enough pins on hand just to harness it.
The average mum costs over $100, and they’re worn as badges of honor — the bigger, the louder, the better.
I prefer the simplicity and class of the homecoming corsage. Heck, I’m just rooting for a homecoming victory.
What do you think about mums? Is it an outdated tradition? Post a comment. Read more about homecoming from our Teen Board Members in tomorrow's Family section.
Pictured: A mum from an area high school.