Party at homecoming

“Entering the courtyard at first, I felt extremely uncomfortable. It was a combination of peer pressure, fear of regret, and innate curiosity that led me here. Yes, I had my friends nearby, but it was so weird to see so many people, most of whom I’ve never met before. Everybody was all dressed up. Music was blasting on the speakers. Lights were flashing. I had no idea how I’d spend 3 hours here. [...] Nodding my head up and down, raising my hands up into the air, or just awkwardly shuffling my feet to the rhythm, I began to embrace the moment. Singing, dancing, and just vibing alongside these songs, I could forget about coursework and college applications. I could let go of my responsibilities and just be a normal high schooler. I felt full of energy and oh-so-human.”

“The crisp late September air was buzzing with anticipation. We entered the school gym with its pulsing music and flashing lights. I wasn’t (and still am not) much of a dancer, but I did my best and had fun at the same time. Loads of people crowded in the gym, making the temperature rise. On several occasions, my friends and I took breaks in the lobby to cool down.”

“After dinner we headed to the homecoming dance. People were already dancing when we came so we just took our jackets off and started dancing. We danced until the last song. I had a really great time. It’s such a fun tradition and I really wish we had dances like that at home.”