It’s homecoming weekend in Highlands.
While the traditional homecoming festivities may look a little different here on the mountain, the objective is the same. It’s time to get out and support the home team and show pride in Highlands School.
Most high schools and universities celebrate homecoming during football season, traditionally with a rivalry game on the gridiron and a formal dance the following evening. Because Highlands does not field a football team, the homecoming celebration is moved to basketball season and normally played in early December.
On Friday night the Highlanders will take on their Smoky Mountain 1-A Conference rivals, the Murphy Bulldogs. The spotlight doesn’t get much brighter than when the yellow-and-black clad Bulldogs pay their annual visit to Highlands.
Murphy claimed a pair of North Carolina 1-A State Championships on the girls side of the bracket in 2020 and 2021. The Bulldogs are a perennial playoff team on the boys side.
The girls basketball game will begin at 6 p.m. with the boys game to follow (approximately 8 p.m.). Between games the homecoming court will be introduced.
The homecoming dance will take place Saturday night at First Presbyterian Church. Anyone driving in the vicinity of the church should use extra caution as the area near the intersection of Main and 5th streets will undoubtedly be crowded with teens.
Highlands School is an important part of the community and this weekend will give us all an opportunity to show our support, share a fond homecoming memory of our own, and enjoy watching the next generation of Highlanders take part in the festivities. It may be basketball, instead of football, but homecoming is special just the same.