Samantha Greenwald and Jacob Insley

    As the fall season approached, many students were anxious for Homecoming and upcoming festivities. Homecoming not only involves the highly anticipated dance, but also the football game and the spirited hallway decorating. Students prepare months in advance, either setting up the homecoming dance and hallway decorating or creating plans with friends for the day of. The homecoming game was on an ecstatic Friday night and the homecoming dance was the day after, keeping the spirit alive. The Homecoming season encourages students to engage in school spirit and take a break from schoolwork.

   The Homecoming week kicked off with the famous hallway decorating, creating spirit within the school. Many students got the opportunity to be involved in creating a specific hallway decoration for their grade. The freshmen decorated with a floaty palm tree and beachy vibes representing Copacabana Beach, while the sophomores hallway showed the biodiversity of the theme, rainforest. The upperclassmen showed out as well, creating an aesthetic hallway for the Class of 2028’s Rio After Dark and the Class of 2027’s Futebol Fever. 

   “Each class council chose what to buy for decorations, but everyone who came contributed to the final result and always had new ideas to enhance the final design,” junior and president of Class of 2028 Fareez Baibars said.

   On Friday night the homecoming game is one of the many Homecoming festivities that excites all of the students. Students become very passionate about the Mustangs’ success and winning the special homecoming game. Students chant and cheer throughout the game, showing their pride within the Marriotts Ridge Student Section. The theme for the student section for this year’s homecoming game was USA. Students dressed out in red, white, and blue to show support for the Mustangs’ amazing football team. The Mustangs were against the Glenelg Gladiators.

    “I’m ready to win…our passing game is definitely a huge strength, and our passing team could obliterate the defense,” senior and varsity football member Wendell Stepp III stated. Win the Mustangs did, defeating Glenelg 21-13. 

   However, the main event was the homecoming dance, which brings the Homecoming festivities to a joyful end. To some, getting ready, as well as the preparations of Homecoming, are the most exciting part of the day.

    “The thing that I’m looking forward to the most is dressing up with my friends and dancing to all the fun songs,” sophomore Johanna Stalin explained. Students, similar to Johanna, wanted to look good for the homecoming dance. Many people took pictures, got ready with friends, or even hung out before the celebratory dance. However, the rainy weather hindered some pre-dance activities and the many photoshoot sessions at the Shrine of St. Anthony.

“It was so cold, wet, and windy so everyone was very uncomfortable when we were taking pictures,” senior Mahathi Vavilala stated.

   The Class Council of 2029 worked hard on the homecoming dance preparations for this year. Homecoming involved a DJ, pizza, photo booth, and some games, which added more fun to the dance. Many students flocked to the gym to dance to their favorite songs and bask in the exhilarating feeling of getting to hang out with close friends while having fun. The homecoming season not only brings out students’ pride, but also allows them to bond with friends and peers alike to bring happiness to the school atmosphere.