Ah, the Homecoming Dance, a high school rite of passage promising a night of glitz and glamour. It’s one of the few times some students remember they own a hairbrush and body spray. Let’s start with the preparations!
The countdown to the homecoming dance feels like a ticking time bomb. Weeks in advance, students drown in anxiety over what to wear. The search for the perfect outfit can turn friends into unofficial stylists armed with scissors, glitter, and dubious advice. It’s a miracle if anyone gets to the dance without experiencing at least one minor fashion meltdown.
Then there’s the quest for a date; this can be more challenging than finding a unicorn. The tension in the air is tangible; like a competitive sport, friends wonder who will win a homecoming date first. After a week of showing school spirit with unique clothing prompts, the exciting and horrifying HOCO dance finally arrived. As students gather outside, decked out in their finest, there’s a mix of nervousness and curiosity as students scramble to show their tickets and proof of identification.
Upon entering the auxiliary gym, students quickly realized that the decoration committee had done a fantastic job, as Sophomore, Gabriel Morales Ferrel exclaimed, “This place looks insane! They totally nailed it this year!” The usually bland gym had been transformed into a chic display of a bewitching “night of fright” theme, fitting for the vibe of Halloween just around the corner. The lights were dimmed, but luckily, they were not to the point where identifying your friends felt like a game of ‘Guess Who?’.
The gym was separated into two halves: one half was the raving dance floor, and the other an R&R area. Compared to the other half, the R&R area allowed students to take breaks for make-up checks, water breaks, and a breathing recess. Unlike previous years, students had a chance to recuperate and ensure they weren’t entirely deafened by the speakers. Gradually, the excitement spread and the nervousness faded.
The dance floor became a battleground of awkwardness and questionable dance moves as the music started playing. You have classic “two-step” dancers, the enthusiastic but rhythmically challenged, and those with panicked looks, unsure of what to do with their hands. A few stood out, though, knowing how to dance and adding actual moves to the mix.
As the crowd started to warm up, few could ignore the brave-souled Sophomore, Nick Avdalian, and his daring attempt to break the ice. With the crowd gathering around, he busted out a series of breakdancing moves that had people cheering. When asked why he decided to go all out, Nick replied with a shrug, “I don’t know, man, I just wanna have fun.” His carefree attitude, paired with Ms. Abney turning the bright lights off, ignited a wave of confidence and single-handedly started the dancing atmosphere, inspiring students to perform improvised dances and flail their hands around carefree.
As the dance wound down with the ticking of the clock, students were left with a sense of accomplishment blended with relief. Sure, you may have stepped on a few toes and embarrassed yourself more than you can count, but despite having tired feet, a hungry stomach, and perhaps not the most Instagram-worthy angle, you survived the HOCO Dance.
Most seniors became droopy and nostalgic after realizing they had just had their last HOCO. After goodbyes, students left with just enough memories; Senior, Krista Chaney said, “It felt like I was saying goodbye to the old but welcoming a new. It reminded me [that] the beautiful thing about high school is the friends you make along the way, and homecoming is such a beautiful way to celebrate those friendships and make memories you’ll remember forever.”
Ultimately, the HoCo dance isn’t just about glitz and glamour – it’s about camaraderie and shared experiences that will become legendary stories. When students look back on this night, they’ll remember the outfits, dances, and the delightful chaos that defined the evening.
So, while the HOCO dance may be an epic assortment of crazy, fun, and awkward moments, it’s a celebration that binds students together in ways they’ll cherish long after their school days have ended. Homecoming is not just an event; It’s a celebration of the shared experience of being part of something greater. It is a tradition that unites us with all of the Vikings before us and will continue to unite us with the Vikings still to come.
