At brunch on September 8, Campo’s leadership team finally unveiled the 2023 homecoming theme. After much secrecy and suspense, the rally leaders revealed it as “Cougs R Us” in a short skit posted on the school’s student-led Instagram page. Freshmen through seniors, the classes were assigned Build-A-Bear, Legos, Barbie, and Hot Wheels, respectively. The quad and senior deck erupted in excitement as kids compared their thoughts. Discussion and argument broke out as Campo students from across all grade levels expressed their satisfaction, or lack thereof.

Before I asked around for student opinions, I was curious how the theme was selected. Were there any other theme contenders? Who was behind the decision? Senior leadership officer and rally leader Molly Dougherty said, “[The leadership team] brainstormed lots of ideas at a retreat before school started. We almost chose iPhone games, but eventually landed on toys.” Many students wished leadership had selected video games, but Dougherty said, “toys will allow us to be really creative at the rally, during spirit week, and and when decorating the hallways.”

It seems some Campo students are more bummed about their individual class theme than the general theme “Cougs R Us.” Senior Cassidy Keely said, “I think the seniors should have gotten Barbie over the juniors. It was literally the movie of the summer.” Little do the seniors know, many juniors are wondering the same thing.

Junior class president Refi Briskman said, “The juniors actually planned on being Hot Wheels, but then the seniors chose it. We were next in line, so we took Barbie.” Briskman agrees with Dougherty that each subtheme gives each grade a lot to work with regardless: “There’s a lot of fun characters that will make homecoming week super fun.”

Senior leadership officer Callen Bronson said, “The Hot Wheels hallway is going to be the coolest for sure. No one should be worried.” We will have to wait until homecoming week to make that decision!

The underclassmen are also excited for homecoming week. Sophomore Kelsey Dellamar said, “I think the theme is pretty good overall. I like it better than last year’s theme, cereal.” Campo students are eager to compare the 2023 theme with that of 2022. “I’m curious how leadership will pull off a Lego themed hallway, though,” she added.

Senior Emmie Cimperman has helped with homecoming hallway decor the past couple of years and is very excited for students to see their hard work this year: “We spent a lot of time brainstorming creative ideas. I think people will be blown away.” In past years, the hallway artistry has been super impressive, and the student body should expect nothing less this year.

Homecoming is one of the most exciting weeks of the year for Cougars. Between a fun spirit week, football game, and school dance, students are almost guaranteed a good time, no matter the theme.