Homecoming is what everyone looks forward to after they get settled back into school. The expectation is that there’s going to be good music, fun activities, and enough snacks to keep the energy running. Unfortunately, students end up feeling dissatisfied and are left feeling like they wasted their money. 

Last year, students weren’t allowed to suggest any songs so we just had to listen to whatever they decided to play, which wasn’t the best selection, in my opinion. There were also a number of activities in the field house, including inflatable attractions. I’ve heard mixed opinions about the available activities, with some students saying that they liked the inflatable bull since that had been a newer addition to the previous year. However, when half of the attendees are wearing dresses, it limits what type of activities we can participate in. 

“It was boring,” senior Camila Pulex said. “What was the point of the bouncy houses? We couldn’t even go on them. I think it would be fun if they had booths to take photos in and games like the mini golf were fun because we could still participate even in our dresses. Just anything where I don’t have to jump. They could also add more decorations in the gym because last year it just felt like a gym, instead of a dance floor.”

Seating was only available in the Old Commons with a few chairs also in the field house. I found myself wanting to take a seat to rest my feet but had a hard time doing so because there were so many others looking to do the same.

“I honestly don’t want to go,” senior Majda Hadik said. “It’s boring. The music is weird, and it’s not nice scenery. I think nice tables to sit at and better decorations that fit the theme would make it more enjoyable. Maybe not have it in the gym or the field house perhaps. I know other schools rent out places.”

The Homecoming dance isn’t the only thing that I have a critique on. The week before Hoco is meant to get everyone excited by dressing up each day to a different theme. But the themes can be boring and repetitive, being used again from previous years. However, I know not all of the students feel this way. 

“They’re okay,” junior Anthony Bramley said. “I think they’re a little bit over done, we’ve seen them before. But I’ve seen a lot of participation in the student body. I like culture day, diversity is one of the school’s strong suits. As for Adam Sandler day, I think we’ve seen it before and I think the student body is looking for something new. Something that’s more active, that gets the students involved. People float around the idea anything-but-a-backpack-day, obviously there’s some safety concerns with that, but something that is fun and original and engaging. Not just dressing up.”

“I do like the spirit week themes,” junior Liliana Guberman said. “I’ve had a lot of fun dressing up and taking photos! I would like to see any type of theme, but anything-but-a-backpack or celebrity day, stuff like that would be fun to do.” 

In conclusion, to refine homecoming, I think the school could ask students what they want to see in regard to activities, spirit week themes, and music suggestions. As for seating, I’m aware that half of the cafeteria is used for the coat check run by Dance Marathon, however, there is still half of the cafeteria still available. Most students tend to gather in the center of the gym, so chairs lined around the walls of the gym or opening up the second-floor bleachers could also be a possibility. Student Activities works hard to make Homecoming a fun event for everyone, so hopefully they’ll be able to take these suggestions into consideration.