The annual Homecoming video, a WJ tradition since 1997, was shown during the double third period this past Thursday. The movie was the first of many senior rites of passage, and the SGA was put to the test to make sure they put their own spin on the tradition.

While the SGA versus senior class theme has been a common thread between recent homecoming movies, it wasn’t always that way. In the early 2000s and 2010s, movies based their scripts off blockbuster hits such as “Harry Potter,” “The Dark Knight,” and even “Hot Tub Time Machine.” Each of these homecoming movies were new and unique, but some students feel as though there has been less creativity in recent years.

“Our script included events that haven’t been seen in previous years and while it’s still the same rivalry between senior class and SGA, we’ve included many different twists and differences,” senior leadership class member Jordan Block said.

SGA secretary Olin Kimball also agreed that this year’s movie gave the audience a taste of new and different homecoming movie ideas.

“I don’t think there’s ever been a dance battle in any previous Homecoming movie,” Kimball said.

One continuity throughout the years, however, is the amount of effort that is put into the movie. While SGA comes up with the overall concept and writes the script, the senior class also helps out by co-starring in it along with the SGA.

“We initially had a script over the summer and then we started filming and figured out what we wanted to change from there,” Kimball said.

The SGA, senior class and members of leadership all made sure to contribute their part and work collaboratively to get the movie done in time.

“I directed it in a way but it was more of a collaborative directing, we were all able to input ideas and say how we wanted things filmed and I finalized it all,” Block said.

On Thursday the entire senior class watched the movie in the auditorium, and the SGA and senior class were able to gauge how good the reception was.

“It was a little embarrassing considering I was sitting with all the seniors and they were all watching me but sometimes they laughed at stuff I said and I enjoyed that,” senior class secretary Adam Dincin said. No matter the embarrassment, the senior class still enjoyed their movie.