Traditions Over the Years

50 years covering F ire, F ood T rucks, and F ootball

WRITTEN BY ESZTER BADESCU

CALEB BOERM

CAROLINE LARRABEE (11)

What was the bonfire tradition?

Started by the cheerleaders of 1993, the bonfire was held before the Stratford-Memorial game to encourage the football players to beat their rivals.

Favorite memories from the bonfire weekend?

Scott Vastine, an Oracle reporter in 1995, detailed that, aside from the football game, “the most enjoyable aspect of the entire weekend [was] the annual bonfire.”

Why did the bonfires end?

The Texas A&M Bonfire Tragedy in 1999 was a wake-up call, forcing Stratford to re-evaluate its safety measures. The bonfire ended two years later, in 2001.

What was Barn Dance?

Barn Dance was a casual, country-themed Sadie Hawkins dance run by StuCo and was created by the class of 1973. Favorite memories from Barn Dance?

Ms. Baker’s (‘10) favorite traditions were a pre-dance backyard BBQ, wearing matching t-shirts with her friend group, and “[riding] to school on a hayride.”

Why did Barn Dance end?

During Baker’s junior year, the dance changed to “80’s Sadies!” While she hopes the dance returns, she suspects that it became unpopular after the theme change.

What was the courtyard throwing?

With no interior windows, Stratford students of 1974 would throw toilet paper across the courtyard and slip-n-slide through the rainy hallways.

Favorite memories from the courtyard throwing?

Ms. Schaper (‘79) says that “[students] sort of just lobbed [the toilet paper] across the courtyard and saw if [they] could make it to the other side. It was always fun.”

Why did the courtyard throwing end?

Schaper shares that while it was fun, the windows were a necessity.

What is Senior Sunrise?

Senior Sunrise is an annual event where the senior class gathers on the football field at 6:45 a.m. to play games, eat snacks, and watch the sun rise.

Who started Senior Sunrise?

StuCo members from the class of 2022 started this tradition after learning about a similar event at the Texas Student Council Convention.

Favorite memory?

Senior Ellie Whyte loved “[catching] up with friends” and “[reflecting] on the past three years.” She shares that the Sunrise was “an artistic way to show the beginning of the new school year.”

What is Big Day?

Big Day is a school-wide volunteering event where organizations have the opportunity to give back to the Houston community. Who started Big Day?

Katherine Kennedy (‘14) and the Dairy Ashford Revitalization Team started this event to help engage students and give back outside of SHS.

Favorite memory?

Sophomore Sophie Sagastume remembers how accomplished she felt when there were “strangers thanking [her group] for what [they] did.”

What is Food Truck Friday?

Students get to enjoy some of Houston’s favorite food trucks three times every semester during an extended lunch period.

Who started Food Truck Friday?

Food Truck Friday was inspired by a Spring Woods tradition. Stratford added “a fundraising portion to [the idea],” taking 10% of food truck profits.

Favorite memory?

Students greatly enjoy the extended lunchtime, allowing them to hang out with friends. Some of StuCo’s favorite trucks are Toasted, the Refuge, and Kona Ice.

Verheard

COMPILEDBYABBYSTALLWORTH(12)

“Hamstersalwaysdieindramatic ways”

“Noriistheplacetoname-drop”

“You mistook Jesus for John Lennon?!”