Joel Scherer

September 19, 2014

School Activity Event
Mountain View High School Homecoming Game
For my first school event activity, I attended Mountain View High School's homecoming
football game on September 19, 2014. The game was held at Thompson Valley High School's
Ray Patterson Stadium in southwest Loveland. I felt that this highly anticipated event would be a
great start to getting the full dose of the local community and Mountain View school spirit.
The evening of the game was wet and stormy, feeling more like summer than fall. A
beautiful sunset off to the west offset dark storm clouds accumulating in the east and jagged
flashes of lighting, dull rumbles of thunder, and spatterings of raindrops that disturbed the
atmosphere. As I arrived at the stadium, I was surprised at just how many people were attending
the eventI failed to find a parking space in the main lot and resigned myself to parking on the
street.
At the front gate, attendance was $5 and I received a stamp on my hand for readmittance. Nearly everyone was decked out in Mountain Lion gear--purple and white. Mountain
View's opponent--Greeley West--and their fans occupied the far side of the stadium, and wore
white and gold. I made my way into the stands, trying not to slip on the slick metal stairs and
avoid being jostled by the masses of excited parents, students, and fans. So much was happening!
I had no idea how much activity and excitement occured at a high school football game.
As I made my way up the slippery stairs, regretting that I had not brought a poncho or
umbrella, I ran into a student from one of my practicum classes. She noticed me first and seemed
pleased to see me therethat brief exchange sold me on the importance of community
involvement and committment of teachers to their outside-class events.
I found a seat about halfway up the stands and began to take in my surroundings in more
detail. Out on the field, the first quarter was getting underway and the MVHS band was blaring
on the sidelines. The rain kept coming down, yet the crowd was enthusiatic, as if it energized
them. The game started badly for Mountain View and Greeley West was up by 24 points to none
by the second quarter. Mountain View seemed unable to stop Greeley's running game and their
pass-emphasized offense was bogging down at critical junctures at the other end of the field.
Finally, just before the half, Mountain View scored their first touchdown to make it 31-7.
At halftime, Principal Kim Young presented the nominees for Homecoming King and
Queen, crowning the winners and the MVHS band and dance squad performed songs by Bruno
Mars and Jimi Hendrix. I took this opportunity to wander about the stadium, observing the
student section, concessions and merchanise sellers, and scorekeepers and announcers in the
observation booths up above. The rain had stopped by now, but lightning was flickering still in
the north and east.

The second half went better for Mountain View's defense, but they still had trouble
scoring. By the third quarter, lighting crackled overhead and a 30 minute delay was announced. I
saw another student I recognized across the stadium and looked for others. I felt a little
uncomfortable and out of place, but felt confident that the more I got to know faculty and
students at school the more of these faces would be familiar to me.
Overall, I was impressed by the robust community involvement and participation at the
homecoming game. Having never attended a high school football game before I was not
expecting such a vibrant activity and level of organization. It was a great experience, one that
encourages and excites me as a teacher hoping to form relationships and find a niche in a strong
community.