A Patchogue-Medford Homecoming...

There were no dances or sappy homecoming proposals for the Raiders.

A homecoming at Patchogue-Medford High School goes far beyond the frilly dresses and football. In fact, the freshmen, sophomore, junior and senior classes battle in multiple events such as a bulletin board, obstacle course, t-shirt design, float decorating and skit performance competition. Homecoming is based on a numbers game. Whichever class wins these events, will begin to rack up points and the grade with the most points come homecoming day gets first place.

Patchogue-Medford High School celebrated their Homecoming on October 13, 2018. Homecoming is organized by the student government association and invites all past, present and current students to come take part in the annual homecoming extravaganza.

"Year after year the competition gets tougher. Students, advisors, parents, faculty and alumni all help to make this amazing work come together," Goldfader said.

Nancy Goldfader, head advisor of the student government, helps to organize and vote on the winners each year.

Patchogue Medford High School is the home of the Raiders.

Each year, Patchogue-Medford High School selects a theme for classes to choose from. The theme for Homecoming 2018 was Movies. The freshmen took on the movie "Minions", the sophomore class chose "Jurassic World," the juniors covered "Pirates of the Caribbean" and the seniors, Class of 2019, took on the movie "Back to he Future." Michelle Mars, a class advisor of the Class of 2020, stressed the importance of the week for students.

"Homecoming week provides an outlet for students to make friends at the start of the school year and work together with their peers to create something they are proud of. I was also the advisor to the Class of 2015 and I couldn't not take on another class once they graduated," Mars states.

Students used their many talents to create bulletin boards, skits and floats. All of these items were viewed and placed out for display on homecoming day.

The week before homecoming day is known as "homecoming week" for the

Patchogue-Medford community. Throughout homecoming week, each class must create a skit to perform on homecoming day and a float made of strictly tissue paper.

"Homecoming week is by far one of the most stressful and exciting times. It is a big task to get a float built and skit created in a weeks time, but is all worth it on homecoming day. Thanks to the eager students, alumni, community and parent helpers we are able to get the job done and this year I could not have been more proud of my class and how the final outcome came out," Mars states.

Pictured is the Sophomore Class, Jurassic World themed float. Different tissue paper folding techniques such as flowers, balling and folding help to make each design come to life.

Homecoming day was off to a rocky start for the Raiders when the weather cancelled the Homecoming parade. That didn't stop the Patchogue-Medford community from filling the auditorium to watch the class skits shortly after.

After skits were watched and the floats were analyzed in awe; the bleachers filled for the start of the Homecoming football game against Commack High School. The judges panel totaled the points of each class to announce the winners of homecoming and the homecoming court during halftime. The senior class came out on top for Homecoming 2018.

Homecoming day was dedicated to Patchogue-Medford High School principal, Dr. Randy Rusielewicz, for his excellence and dedication to bettering the Raider community.

Goldfader welcomed the crowd to the auditorium.

"I say it every year, but it could not be more true. No other school district, college or university compares. No one does homecoming like Pat-Med!"