Getting ready with friends, dancing together or even attending with a special someone are the moments that make Homecoming remarkable. Homecoming is a special event that brings students together for a night to dance, making memories in their limited time in high school. Coral Gables Senior High School hosted their annual Homecoming dance on Nov. 2, for the first time, at the University of Miami Newman Alumni Center. Although its original date was pushed back due to weather issues, students from Gables were still excited to see their Homecoming dance continued under the theme “A Midsummer Night’s Dream.”
“I think Homecoming is important for giving students something to look forward to in between all their work and extracurriculars, and also have an opportunity to connect with all their peers, ” junior Adrianna Garcia said.
Held on a Saturday, Cavaliers had the whole day to prepare for the upcoming dance. With a semi-formal dress code, students entered at 8 p.m. wearing dresses and suits, completing the beautiful scene. Attendees had the opportunity to submit their votes for the Homecoming king and queen before walking into the main room.
“Before Homecoming I was mainly worried about dress shopping. I bought about four different dresses all within the same week because I couldn’t even decide on what to wear. But when [the dance] got moved part of me was thankful because I had even more time to make up my mind,” senior Lauren Hernandez said.
The main room had a dance floor with a disc jockey already playing music, adding to the energetic ambiance. Cloth-covered tables were prepped for the students to sit and relax in between the periods of dancing and singing. Decorations all around the room fitted the theme, A Midsummer Night’s Dream, as the venue was decorated with fake trees, soft lights and more creative garden items to add to the ambience of the event. The photo booth was covered in flower decorations ready for Cavaliers who wished to take pictures. Further down the venue was a set-up for food which contained nachos and extra toppings that the students could choose from.
Attracted by the loud and exciting music, Cavaliers grouped together on the dance floor, dancing along with their friends to the pulsating beat. The dynamic songs, flashing lights and constant movement created an exciting atmosphere, producing memories they would keep forever. In the middle of the Homecoming dance, the commotion died down as students awaited the announcements for Homecoming king and queen.
“It was so cool to capture the energy and those moments between friends as a photographer at the event. Seeing everyone having fun together is honestly my favorite part and I think its important to have a chance to bond outside of school and have a good time together ” junior Alyssa Dopico said.
The coronation had been decided by students through online voting forms that, at the end of the night, had been counted to determine who would be the new Homecoming king and queen. As the students congregated around the dance floor, leaving a space for the 2024 king and queen, the students roared into applause as seniors Evan Noval and Melissa Hernandez were chosen as the Homecoming King and Queen. This pair shared a slow dance together, encouraged by the mass of joyful Cavaliers before the lively dancing resumed for the rest of the night.
As students danced, the administration helped behind the scene, passing out desserts and cleaning up the venue. Realizing that the night would end soon, many groups went to the photo booth to take pictures hoping to record this unique moment with their friends. Students from publications also put in their own work during the dance, taking a myriad of pictures to ensure that the students had something to remember the night with.
“Homecoming is a gathering of just a lot of people coming together to dance and just have a fun night. I only decided to go because my friends convinced me to, but they’re what made the night so much fun,” junior Daniel Wu said.
As the last song of the night finished at 11 p.m., the lights turned on marking the end of the Homecoming dance. Tired from dancing and socializing the whole night, Cavaliers left the stage content with how their Saturday night was ending. Wrapping up the event, administration stayed behind helping close the center after a night that can only be described as a dream.
