Andrea Noon (Spanish teacher) YOG: 1999
Q: If you have attended homecoming in previous years, did you feel honored and celebrated?
A: I have been to homecoming before, and to be honest, I don’t remember feeling honored or celebrated, but I don’t think that felt like something I was looking for either.
Q: What are your favorite parts of homecoming?
A: I love the homecoming assembly! When I look back to when I was a student here, I remember the Greased Lightning dance and the Buff Puff. I remember those being parts of Homecoming that I looked forward to, and as a teacher, it’s nice because I still get to see the assembly.
Cameron Talley (football coach and social studies teacher) YOG: 2010
Q: What do you feel is the purpose of homecoming for alumni?
A: To reconnect with the community. I think for most people, high school is a time where they’re able to grow a ton, and get ready for the next step before jumping into adulthood. I think that’s a very important time in your life so it’s a chance to give credit to the community that assisted you in getting ready for that next step.
Q: How is homecoming similar or different from when you attended Liberty as a student?
A: The biggest difference is that they got rid of royalty. When I was here, one of my classmates, Kevin McCarthy, who has down syndrome and is actually still the manager here, won homecoming prince our junior year. It’s something he still talks about today.
Eric Warlick (science teacher) YOG: 2012
Q: What are your favorite parts of homecoming?
A: I like the atmosphere at the football game where everyone seems to be in a “let’s go get it!” mood.
Q: What do you feel is the purpose of homecoming?
A: The purpose for the alumni is for them to be able to come back and see what’s still going on and what’s still in the culture, which gets everyone excited.
Kelsey Foote (P.E. teacher) YOG: 2009
Q: Will you be attending homecoming? Have you been before? If so, did you feel honored and celebrated?
A: I may go to the football game. When I’ve gone, I feel like they’re just like, ‘shout out to alumni and all alumni please stand up to be recognized,’ and then that’s it, so not really.
Q:What was homecoming like when you were a Liberty student? How is it similar or different from now?
A: We used to do a parade from Maywood all the way up to Liberty, and every class had a float that they would have to create.
Michelle Munson (ASB and Leadership teacher) YOG: 1989
Q: Will you be attending homecoming? Have you been before? If so, did you feel honored and celebrated?
A: All of it, I go to all of it. I don’t think we do a very good job of recognizing our alumni, but I don’t think we ever have.
Q: What are your favorite parts of homecoming?
A: Probably all of it. But I think for me, it’s the prep going into it. It’s watching the kids take the concepts that the student body chooses, and bringing it to life. The spirit days can be so fun and the decorations can be amazing.
Alisa Jeremica (Science teacher) YOG: 2001
Q: What do you feel is the purpose of homecoming for alumni?
A: I’m not really sure that there is a purpose anymore. I think it’s become more about community building for the school and the current students and staff than about the alumni. I’m sure that’s where it started, but that’s not really how it feels anymore to me.Q: What are your favorite parts of homecoming?
A: I think the homecoming football game is fun. It’s just a lot of community building. I enjoy the hallway decorations. I know that that’s cheesy, but I love to go out and look at them. I know a lot of effort goes into them, and I love what the students put together there.
As Liberty looks ahead to homecoming, it is important to look at the past as well. Homecoming is traditionally a celebration of past alumni, and 6 of Liberty’s own alumni reflect on their experiences with homecoming, both as when they were students and now as teachers.
