By: Jannely Gomez Pacheco & Yalecxy Hernandez Lopez
Tag Archives: Homecoming
My freshman homecoming experience
By: Seng Nhkum
This year is my first homecoming dance as a freshman in high school, and my first school dance I’ll be attending. I hope it goes well.
First, the hardest part of going to a dance is finding the perfect dress. I had to go to the mall 3 times in order to find a perfect dress! Before they announced the theme ‘Midnight Ball’ for homecoming, I bought this cute hot pink dress for homecoming that fit me perfectly, and then went to the mall 2 more times to finally purchase a lavender sparkly dress which is so pretty.
The homecoming dance was at Highland Park Senior High school in the field house at 7:00-10:00 pm on a Friday. Before that, our school day was shortened by a bit so we could have a pep rally at 2:00-3:00 pm. It was funny, but not when everyone cheered “Go home Freshman”. Like yes, I will gladly go home.
After I got back home at 3:30 I was procrastinating for 30 whole minutes to decide whether I should curl my hair for homecoming or straighten it; I decided to curl it. I finished getting ready, and arrived at the high school at 7:30.
In the field house there was a place where you could take photos, and there they sold snacks and drinks. Also, in the gym was the dancing area and at the time there weren’t that many people in the gym. But oh my, a little later, even more people showed up and the gym was so overstimulating and hot. People were also crowd surfing and throwing themselves back which caused lots of chaos.
At 9:00 it actually got more fun, it felt less awkward, and me and my friends decided to just have fun and sang our hearts out till our voices were gone.
Overall, my first homecoming experience was a 7/10. The best parts were making memories and having fun with my friends, but the worst part was the heat and due to all the jumping my feet hurt so bad. I do recommend you go to homecoming because of the memories and the fun! (just don’t wear high heels for the homecoming dance…)
Showing Highland Spirit
Near the end of September, trees have already begun to change into varied hues of red, orange, and yellow. Speaking of red, remember seeing the sea of red during pep fest? Fall is the season of high school homecomings, corination, and senior class elections, but this is also the opportunity for students to show their school spirit.
Highland had been reserving Friday of the spirit week for the class color day, up until 2013-14 school year when they changed it to red out. As you all know, red and white are our school colors, therefore it is perfect way to be true to our school. The purpose of this is to create the sense of community and unification of our student body, instead of the typical division of class bodies to encourage rivalry.
This year’s Homecoming week began on the third week of September. The following were the themes for this year’s spirit week: pajama day, tie dye day, wacky hair, class colors, and red out day.
We recently created a survey revolving around the theme of homecoming spirit days, sharing it through Twitter, Facebook, and text messages. As of Friday September 25, 2015, about 83% of the 59 students who took the survey had said that they did not like this year’s spirit theme days. However, 63% of the surveyors admitted that they stilled participated in the spirit week events despite not liking the spirit days.
Why don’t people like these spirit days? Several people complained that student council continues to repeat the same themes every year and should think more creatively. Many commented on how much they despised the wacky hair day. Below are some of responses received:
“The spirit days would be way more interesting and things that even the annoying people that occupy this school would actually want to participate in.”
“Teenagers thrive on incentive, give them something worth being embarrassed over.”
“Things that are a little easier to wear…..crazy hair day is not something that’s fun and easy for me to do….nobody does it really because it takes too much effort and is too uncomfortable.”
Themes that students suggested for the future:
- Togo Tuesday
- USA
- Disney
- Throwback
- Hawaiian/ Tourist
- Jersey
- Cultural dress
- Cartoon
- Superhero
- Camo
While most people continue to rant about how much they hated the spirit days or what theme day they should have, a few people have provided helpful feedback to add more activities to spirit week. Such advice included things like, giving out awards for the individual who portrays the best outfit for that particular spirit day, or play music during passing time.
What do you think about spirit week? Feel free to take this survey and provide your insights on the themes!
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