As Homecoming night nears, there is a certain feeling in the air. School spirit, yes, but something else: harmful, damaging, and spiteful animosity between students. Yes, I said it. Yes, I know you were thinking it. The competition is on to get your favorite senior nominated to Homecoming Court, but should we be so competitive about who represents us at school?

There’s been a push in the past few years to ban Homecoming as a whole, but I disagree; it’s just time to reform the process.

One change that needs to be made should be the overall experience of Homecoming Week. Nominees should be a representation of the student body, not of certain groups. Teachers should also be allowed to vote in the election, and students who don’t want their names on the ballot should be able to opt out of being on the list.

The number of candidates students can nominate should be cut down from four to three. Four is just too many. It creates a competitiveness, and most students end up voting for someone random during nominations. Overall, if minor changes were made to the process of nominating the Homecoming court, the court would feel less cliquish than years past.

Another problem with the Homecoming process is the uniqueness of it. Opposed to other schools, Canyon’s annual homecoming crownings are less spectacular. At other schools in the area, crownings are a special occasion at the game. The band marches their show, and the court is announced afterward. It adds an inclusivity for the school. The problem with the crownings at Canyon is they are awkward, separate events that could easily be combined to create a better experience. Not many people come—or know about—the Homecoming King’s coronation, and the Queen’s is before the game, situated in an inelegant spot. It would be easier and more enjoyable to combine these events after the game’s halftime show. It would take less time, and it would feel more like a school activity since more people would be able to attend.

The last and most important Homecoming reform should happen in the lead up to the coronation. It is pretty common to want to be on the court, but the build-up to the game is toxic. Voting is an important part of the process, but winning those votes should not be. Administrators should ban campaigning for Homecoming Court. Teachers should monitor this, and students should respect this rule. Not only should posters be banned, but any form of social media campaigning should also not be allowed. The destructive competitiveness to be named a part of the court leads a lot of students to practice questionable things. Because seniors are the only students up for nominations, many pressure underclassmen to vote for them. This creates an “us versus them” mentality, and it only divides the school. Homecoming should be a time to celebrate school spirit, not divide the student body.

Homecoming ought to be a positive experience but often times it ends up devolving into the winner having the most Snap Streaks or Instagram likes. While Homecoming Court is a popularity competition, it does not mean students should be hostile about it. It is time to reform Homecoming, starting with the student connection, crownings, and campaigning. Make Homecoming a time when the student body can come together and celebrate a common link–being a Canyon High Eagle.