By: Olamide Olaleye, Sullivan Senior
This Fall Sullivan High School held its first homecoming in-person since 2019. The return to in-person learning has helped students to rekindle their love for the school and extracurricular activities, which many had lost over the many months of distant learning. Homecoming is the perfect celebration to highlight the joy of school all over again. Sullivan Seniors shared their homecoming experiences as they reminisce on their last year as high schoolers int he following interviews.
Cheyenne Patterson, Sullivan Senior and 2021 Homecoming Queen, shared her experiences at homecoming and victory on the royal court.
Olaleye: How do you feel about coming to homecoming after a year of online learning?
Patterson: I felt particularly happy about homecoming since it gave everyone the chance to rejoice with one other again after being separated for so long.
Olaleye: What is one thing you liked and disliked about this year’s homecoming?
Patterson: The theme and photo booth room were two aspects of homecoming that I enjoyed. The music choices during the Homecoming was one of my pet peeves.

Olaleye: What advice do you have for the next homecoming planners?
Patterson: My recommendation to future homecoming planners is to go outside the box, add more decorations and music, and find new methods to advertise homecoming to entice kids to attend.
Olaleye: How’s your overall feeling about this year’s homecoming?
Patterson: My overall feeling about homecoming was really nice especially after just being remote for so long.
Olaleye: Congratulations as the homecoming queen of the year 2021, did you expect that you were going to win or that people would vote for you?
Patterson: Thank you once more. And yes, I did except for winning since I had a lot of faith in myself, as well as all those who helped push me and assist me when I needed it. And because I did a lot of promoting, I had the impression that a lot of people recognized my name and who I was. But, once again, thank you to everyone who contributed to my success.
Leshai McReynolds, Sullivan Senior, shared her thoughts and feelings about her last homecoming celebration in high school.
Olaleye: How do you feel about coming to homecoming after a year of online learning?
McReynolds: I felt excited about being able to go to homecoming for my last year of high school.
Olaleye: What is one thing you liked and disliked about this year’s homecoming?

McReynolds: I liked the music that was played during homecoming and how everyone was getting along and having fun. I disliked that it had to end so early.
Olaleye: What advice do you have for the next homecoming planners?
McReynolds: My advice to the next homecoming planners is to take notes from this year’s homecoming and have students pitch in and say what they want homecoming to be like too.
Olaleye: How’s your overall feeling about this year’s homecoming?
McReynolds: Homecoming met my expectations because it was fun. It could’ve been better but due to the virus, there are limitations. My overall feeling is that homecoming this year was a success.
Photos taken and provided by Sullivan’s Digital Media Club