‘Plan B’ Homecoming resonates with young and old alike

Homecoming week has always been about more than parades, pep rallies and Friday night lights. It’s a celebration of community, of shared history, and of the values that connect generations of Huskies long after the final bell rings. 
This year’s festivities offered a powerful reminder of that truth through the words of alum Ashlyn (Lackore) Cramer, who returned to her alma mater to explain why, indeed, “It’s a great day to be a Husky.”
Speaking to all 1,255 Aurora students gathered under bright autumn skies at Husky Stadium, Cramer reflected on what those familiar words meant to her 15 years ago as a student, and what they still mean today. She spoke not of trophies or titles, but of character, effort, and gratitude. Being a Husky, she said, means giving 100 percent in the classroom, on the court, on the stage and in life. It means showing respect and kindness, being a good teammate and classmate, and leaving every competition with your head held high.
Those lessons, she added, don’t fade after graduation. They evolve. “It’s always a great day to choose to have a great day,” she told the crowd, including youngsters from kindergarten on up seated in front of her who appeared to be thoroughly engaged with the speech, cheers of “Go Big Red” and the palpable energy of the day. 
Cramer’s message resonated, not just with students, but with everyone who’s ever worn Husky red, as well as adopted fans who didn’t graduate from AHS but have embraced its culture and traditions. Her words captured the spirit of Aurora, a community that rallies together, adapts when plans change, and celebrates its people. 
This year’s “Plan B” pep rally at the football field, prompted by courthouse renovations, was a perfect example. What began as a logistical adjustment became a joyful, unified celebration of K-12 pride, fulfilling the vision of the late cheer sponsor Rhonda Grosshans for a truly all-school gathering. What a fitting and genuine compliment for Principal Doug Kittle to tip his hat to a woman who truly personified the spirit of Husky Nation. 
Homecoming is about returning to roots, but also recognizing how those roots continue to shape us. It’s about the teachers, coaches, and mentors who quietly help young people find their footing. It’s about students who cheer for one another’s success. And it’s about alumni like Ashlyn Cramer, who carry the Husky spirit into every new chapter of life.
So yes, it was and is a great day to be a Husky, not just during Homecoming week, not only after a big win, but every day we choose to live with pride, kindness and purpose.
Kurt Johnson