It's the fall season, and the annual high school homecoming tradition is in full swing across Fairfax County and the rest of the country.  For some of this year's Herndon High School Hornets, “HOCO” (homecoming) created memories that will last a lifetime.

There were group photos and the Friday night bonfire. Despite showers the following morning, members of the Herndon High School band, cheerleaders, football team, and other school organizations paraded down Elden Street in the historic district.  Members of local community organizations, elected officials, and candidates also marched in the parade, waving their flags in unified support for the local Fairfax County public school, Herndon High School.

Protected from the rain, locals and alums gathered and partied on the large front porches of many historic homes lining the street. Others sat in chairs under canopies on front lawns or at the sidewalk's edge. They watched the hour-long parade and enjoyed the performing bands, dance teams, and flag teams while waving their support to the students.

Immediately following the parade, many families, students, and alumni flocked to the nearby school football stadium to support the Hornets, regardless of their homecoming game outcome. That afternoon’s homecoming football game proved to be the culminating winning activity.

The  Hornets defeated the Highlanders 31-28—a victory and memory for Herndon High School  Homecoming 2023.