The annual homecoming dance is a beloved tradition in high schools nationwide. It’s a night of glittering dresses, sharp suits, and an exciting atmosphere. Homecoming began to bring alums back to their alma mater for a reunion. Former students had to reconnect with their schools, classmates, and faculty members. Over time, it has evolved into a more elaborate celebration promoting school spirit and community pride.
A Week of Tradition
Homecoming is more than just a dance; it is a week-long celebration that includes a pep rally, a football game, and themed dress-down days—all of which inspire students’ school spirit. Some of the homecoming week dress-down themes this year included dressing like your favorite teacher or “rhyme without reasoning” duos. The homecoming dance was the grand finale of the week-long celebration, capping off a week of school spirit and pride. Senior Georgie Forte thinks that students “could’ve gone more all out for the themes,” but overall, she categorized the school’s atmosphere as “perfect all week.”
The Dance Floor and Music
The heart of any homecoming dance is the dance floor. It’s here that students come together to dance the night away and create unforgettable memories. Students often spend weeks preparing, from picking the perfect outfit to planning what to do after the dance. The music, selected by the DJ, sets the tone for the evening. From upbeat tunes that get everyone moving to slow songs for those special moments, the playlist is carefully curated to ensure a fun night. According to senior Molly Luca, the music played at this year’s homecoming dance “truly set the mood.” She went on to say that the DJ correlated the type of music played with the mood of everyone present. “When everyone was still pumped up, [the DJ] played upbeat music, and towards the end, when [the night began to slow] down, he played slow songs.”
The new trend observed at the past few dances is the dance circle, in which students push their friends into the circle’s center to show their dance moves to everyone else. Tommy Simpkins notably showed off some of his favorite dance moves at this year’s homecoming. Despite being strictly forbidden, the homecoming dance is also a breeding ground for moshing. It could be said that the music takes over and moshing is unpreventable! Many elbows are thrown, so be prepared to be bruised up the following day.
Crowning Glory: The Homecoming Court
One of the highlights of the evening was the announcement of the homecoming court. The senior boy nominees were Anthony Tibaldi, Landon Burdick, and Colm Matheney this year. Their female counterparts joined them: Emma Blankenship, Kaitlyn Valentic, and Giuliana DiGiannantonio. Nominated by their peers, these students represent school spirit and involvement. As their names were called out and they ran through the crowd, the homecoming court was met with cheers and applause. After the court was introduced, Landon Burdic and Kaitlyn Valentic were crowned the 2023-2024 NDCL Homecoming King and Queen. After the King and Queen were crowned, everyone gathered around to commemorate the victors.
While Giuli swears her name was chanted, nobody else recalls that happening. But oh well, we will let her have her moment…
Creating Lasting Memories
The magic of the homecoming dance isn’t just about the glitz and glamor; it’s about the memories that last a lifetime. It’s about dancing with friends, sharing laughs, and capturing the moments with selfies. Many students reflect on their homecoming dance as a highlight of their high school years, a night when they felt truly connected to their peers and school. Landon Burdick, the Homecoming King, says, “The night was a movie and one he will never forget.” Moreover, court-nominee Giuliana DiGiannantonio says that the night was “an absolute movie,” and she reflects on how she “constantly looks back on the pictures [she] took that night.
