As one of the most anticipated events during the school year, the Homecoming dance and the events leading up to it are beloved by students of all grade levels.
This year, Homecoming will look a little different than it has in years prior.
For starters, due to a lack of home football games later in the season, the dance will be held on Saturday, September 30, and will run from 7 to 10 pm.
One major change this year is that the dance will be held in the employee parking lot. This was last done in October of 2021 due to COVID restrictions. This decision was made by the Student Government Association at the end of the last school year.
SGA Co-Moderator Anthony Davidson commented, “The change to the dance was brought up by class officers at one of the closing meetings of the ‘22-’23 school year. The representatives in attendance voted in agreement to have it outside. The reasons they said included the bad lighting in the gym last year and how it should be warm outside with the early Homecoming.”
In the case of possible inclement weather on Saturday, the administration will make the call soon if the dance needs to be brought inside.
While the location looks different, many Spirit Week traditions look similar to years in the past with Dress Down and Spirit Days in the week leading up to the dance.
Spirit Week begins today with a bang. This afternoon, junior and senior girls will go head-to-head in the Powderpuff game. Students in all grade levels are dressed in their class colors. Freshmen are white; sophomores are red; juniors are blue, and seniors are green.
Tomorrow’s activities will include the annual advisory block party. With an extended 20-minute advisory, students will be allowed to walk through the halls, socialize, and eat food. This will also be Country vs. Country Club Day. This was a new theme last year and a school-wide favorite, so it was voted in for a second time.
Wednesday brings a new theme to the table: Holiday Day. Seniors will dress up in red, white, and blue to celebrate the Fourth of July. Juniors should deck the halls with Christmas spirit. Sophomores can celebrate the new year in their New Year’s Eve attire, and lastly, freshmen may dress for Valentine’s Day. Wednesday is also the special courtyard cookout which will be accompanied by an array of games.
The Ring Hunt, hosted by the SGA, will be on Thursday. The ring will be placed in various locations, and students may search during their off mods. During advisory, students will watch a Quiz Bowl competition with the Academic Team vs the teachers. Thursday also brings the classic Age Day: seniors as grandparents, juniors in their business attire, sophomores as toddlers, and freshmen as babies.
Friday, the final day of Spirit Week will come along with the pep rally held in the Upper Gym. Students will sit with their classes and cheer on their peers in games and chants.
This also will be Black and Gold Day, which is also the theme of the Homecoming football game later that night. The Royal Court will be announced at the game.
The week will end with the anticipated Homecoming Dance. This year’s theme is of “A Night Under the Stars.” Students must buy their tickets ahead of time as none will be sold at the door.