Multi-colored fluorescent lights bounced around the room, and speakers blared famous pop songs all throughout the night while students danced under paper flowers and French flags. The Rogers Lobby of Gordon Parks Arts Hall and the Sherry Lansing Theater had been transformed with the theme “A Night Out in Paris”, as 519 students created long-lasting memories at the annual U-High homecoming on Sept. 23.
Paving the way for the big dance was spirit week, filled with five unique dress-up themes for each day. The themes were Pajama Day on Monday, Dress Like a Song Title/Album Day on Tuesday, Barbenhimer Day on Wednesday, Grade Color Day on Thursday and Maroon Day on Friday. On Friday afternoon, students gathered for the tennis, soccer and volleyball homecoming games.
On Sept. 21, Student Council held a spirit assembly, which featured events between grades such as an arm wrestling competition, a three-point shot contest and musical chairs, eliciting enthusiastic cheers from the crowd.
Student Council members had spent over a month planning the dance theme, hoping to create a fun and more inclusive homecoming for students to enjoy.
“We were planning on having the theme be chosen by a vote open to the entire student body, but we had to start working on homecoming planning over the summer, so we did a vote between the members of the student council … Keep an eye out for the Spring Fling theme vote” All School Cultural Union Adam Cheema said.
Students voted for two of their peers for royalty via the Student Council website, and senior Brandon Chang and junior Sophia Shimanska were selected.
“It was pretty exciting and unexpected, but I was already having a lot of fun at homecoming so that made my experience even more fun and memorable,” Sophia said.
As her first high school dance, ninth grader Tayla Bartom was surprised by the scale of the event.
“It’s a lot bigger and louder than the middle school dances… and overall is a positive experience,” Talya said.
Junior David Smith said homecoming is a great experience due to how students are able to socialize with their friends and people from other grades. David also appreciated this year’s theme and how it contributed to the dance’s atmosphere.
“I think it’s a great theme and it’s really flexible, so you can go with whatever,” David said. “I really like what everyone puts up, and it looks great.”
U-High’s new principal Martin Woods attended his first U-High dance and loved the “Night in Paris” theme.
“I love it,” Mr. Woods said.. “It’s nostalgic for me because one of my favorite moments of high school was going to Paris for an exchange program while studying through a program at Oxford University… so this dance… I love it.”
