The Frontier Central School District officially kicked off its annual Homecoming Week on Monday, welcoming students back with transformed facilities, decade-themed hallways, and a full schedule of traditional events. 

The celebration began as students entered Frontier High School to find the hallways converted into different chronological eras. Each class section represented a unique theme: the freshmen took on the 2000s, sophomores decorated for the 1960s, juniors captured the 1950s, and the seniors secured first place with a 1980s-themed layout.

For students, stepping onto campus felt less like going to class and more like entering a massive neighborhood celebration. "It’s not the boring school like empty and beige walls," senior Caitlin Grieser said. "There’s actual fun and excitement to it... The hallways are decorated, there’s afterschool events. It just brings a lot more joy."

This year's festivities celebrate major milestones in the completion of key district facility projects. District officials are utilizing the high-profile week to showcase these structural updates to visiting community members and returning graduates.

"Homecoming Week at Frontier Central School District is a truly remarkable time of year," Superintendent Christopher J. Swiatek said in a statement. "Beyond the excitement of the dress-up days and the athletic events, this week serves a profound purpose: to build vibrant school spirit, welcome back our cherished alumni, and unite our entire local community in a shared celebration of our unique school identity." 

"We are thrilled to invite our alumni back to our campuses to see firsthand the incredible upgrades to our infrastructure," Swiatek continued. "These vital physical transformations have been made possible directly through the SOAR and SHIELD Capital Projects. Seeing our past graduates walk through these updated facilities, which now stand as a testament to our community’s investment in safety, academic excellence, and the future, powerfully connects where Frontier has been with where we are going. We are incredibly proud of our students, grateful for our supportive community, and excited for our future, 'Welcome home, Falcons!'"

Preparation for the annual hallway contest requires months of student coordination, stretching well into the summer months. "We spent a lot of time over the summer making the decorations and preparing for this," senior Brady Sullivan said. "It really helps to just raise school spirit and everyone comes together as a community at Frontier."

The hallway contest serves as a multi-generational bonding experience, allowing older students to mentor the underclassmen while engaging in a friendly rivalry. "It’s fun because... they’re asking us questions that we can help them with and guide them as the older grade," Grieser noted. "But at the same time, there’s always the joke of like sabotaging each other... It’s just a fun, friendly competition."

Junior Kevin Dutra agreed that the event brings a unique energy to the campus. "It’s very fun to come together as a grade and school," Dutra said. "Everyone’s more excited. Everyone’s more happy. It’s like happiness is in the air because it’s just a fun week."

Senior Makenzie Stack, whose class designed the winning 1980s hallway, noted the specific cultural touchpoints that drove their victory. "The seniors are the 1980s... I love the arcade games we are decorating and all the different movies," Stack said. "A lot of people help stay after school to participate, and I feel like a lot of people just come together more during this time of the year."

According to Student Government Vice President Tanner Rutz, the shared workload ultimately serves a greater purpose for the student body. "It's really just a great way to bring my senior class all together," Rutz said.

Homecoming week features a full lineup of student activities. Scheduled events include daily Spirit Week dress-up themes, the annual Senior Sunrise morning gathering, the High School Powder Puff Game and Bonfire, a pre-game Pep Rally, the Varsity Football game, and the Homecoming Dance. 

For the older students, the goal remains to integrate incoming underclassmen into the school's culture. "If I was telling the freshmen, I would tell them to just get involved," Sullivan said. "Go out there and have fun. Anything that's happening at the school, I would just recommend going to it.. Enjoy. Make new friends and you're going to have a great time in high school."

Watch our video here: 🎥Homecoming Hallway Decorating