Fielder’s Choice - Barry Burleson


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Fielder’s Choice
By Barry Burleson

Homecoming

It’s been 30 years since I wore that three-piece, pinstriped, navy suit in the Hamilton, Ala., High School homecoming.

I was escorting one of the senior maids.

High school homecomings create memories that last a lifetime. I still have some favorite pictures from homecoming 1978 (Class of 1979). And my children love digging out the photo albums and laughing at their dad, particularly the way he was dressed, the big, wire-rimmed glasses and the long hair.

I recall working on the floats for the homecoming parade, the tacky days and other dress-up activities during the week, the rehearsals for the presentation of the homecoming court, the bonfire and of course the game.

I think my favorite had to be the week-long work on the float as a class and the parade itself. Of course, we goofed off most of the week and then realized on Thursday night, “We have to finish this float.”

We got out of school early and rolled through the streets of downtown Hamilton on Friday afternoon before the big game that night. Most of the people in town left work to line the streets and see the parade. It was always a big and festive event.

Byhalia celebrated its homecoming a couple of weeks ago. Marshall Academy had its homecoming last week. This week is homecoming for Holly Springs High School.

Friday afternoon, I went to MA for skits and games to wrap up homecoming week. My daughter Emma is a member of the senior class (Class of 2009).

There were lots of laughs. But there were some tears, too, particularly from some of the senior parents.

Perhaps it was suddenly setting in that our “babies” are going to be graduating in just a few more months.

It’s unbelievable. Emma has visits to two colleges set for the next two weekends.

And this homecoming at Marshall Academy was special in another way, too. Our youngest, Erin, had the honor of participating as the flower girl. She was escorted by fellow first grader Waylon Langston.

Needless to say, she was excited about the whole homecoming thing and had been looking forward to it for several weeks.

I really think the thing she liked most about homecoming night itself was Frank Swords’ Percherons. As is custom at Marshall Academy, the court entered the stadium aboard a carriage driven by Mr. Frank and pulled by some of his award-winning horses.

I was a bit surprised when Erin and Waylon were introduced and found out Erin’s favorite thing about school was “going to recess.”

I thought for sure she’d say spelling or library.

Waylon’s choice was reading.

Then during the halftime ceremony, Erin and Waylon had a bit of adventure looking for their spot on the field. Finally, they got there, after a bit of tugging from Erin.

Then Erin started making some funny hand motions. Come to find out, she was trying to communicate with some of her friends who were shouting to her from the sideline. I guess she was spelling out words with her hands.

I noticed Tim Liddy, president of the MA board of directors, and Brittney Tomlinson, last year’s queen, were standing directly behind Erin, trying not to laugh and trying to get Erin to settle down a bit. Thanks for the help. I couldn’t get her attention, even though I was on the sideline snapping photographs.

Things went pretty smoothly after that – but to be honest, that’s part of the joy of having first graders participate in the homecoming festivities.

Homecoming 1978 will be forever etched in my mind.

And homecoming 2008 won’t be too far behind in that log of memories.

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