Homecoming

Gabriella Maestri, News

 The glittering diamond crown being broken into a number of pieces by Lindsay Lohan and tossed into a mass of popularity hungry girls. Come on Eileen by Dexys Midnight runners blaring in the gym as the school “misfits” dance and laugh in slow motion as if the moment they’re living in is infinite. Chuck bass voting for Blair Waldorf exactly 150 times so she can attain the instant she spent her whole life dreaming about. Mean girls, Perks of being a wallflower, Gossip girl: we’ve all seen the movies and shows of how a high school dance is portrayed to be. But in reality, they’re just not the same.

Homecoming comes around every year. The parade, the dance, the one senior maid being crowned as queen, and the boys constantly one upping each other as they race to ask the girl of their choosing to be their date. To most, homecoming has become this expected obstacle that must be overcome.

“I feel like there’s a lot of pressure on guys now and they try to outdo each other. It’s not even about the sweetness of it all anymore. The gestures are sweet, but sometimes less is more. I don’t think it’s right that it’s an expectation. I think it’s the norm for the guy to ask, but I think it’s cool for a girl to have enough confidence to ask. It depends on the circumstance,” said Senior Hannah-Grace Dobbs.

Waltzing on top of East High with Zac Efron in the pouring rain may be a little over the top for a normal high school homecoming invitation, and that’s become inevitably apparent to female students.

“Considering Zac Efron has not walked up and confessed his love for me, no, I’d say homecoming is not like the movies,” said senior Haley Hydorn.

But it’s more than comparing a real and vital high school experience to one created with paid actors, it’s about the tradition of it all.

“In the films you see the disco  and the punch bowl. I don’t think I’ve ever seen one of those. I feel like a lot of people show up for 15 minutes and then leave for a party. In the movies the dance is the main event, but it’s not like that in real life. I’m old fashioned. I love getting ready and going to the dance. I’m corny,” said Dobbs.

September 26 is right around the corner, which means the dance is occurring much earlier than usual this fall. Giving students less time to prepare for the season of chaos, but no matter the date, homecoming has the same intent for students.

“Homecoming is the chance for girls to dress up as the queens they are,” said junior Abi Peyton.