After a year of anticipation, SCHS students were excited to see the return of the homecoming dance as usual. Just before sunset Saturday, October 9, students made their way either from the SCMS' parking lot or the bus loop to the gym for ticket checks or sales. Once inside, students could converse in the lobby and purchase refreshments or move on inside to the dance floor, the basketball court covered in dance mats with a DJ booth opposite the entrance.
The energy in the room began a bit low, but before long the music ramped up and the party truly begun. Gabriella C., who was seen on the periphery of the crowd of partiers which had gathered in the middle of the room noted the dance "has been nice," but added "If you really want to have fun you've got to get in the middle with everyone in the dance circle." Francesca D., also talking about her feeling about the dance, noted that certain shenanigans people were starting to pull detracted from the fun. She was not the only one. Several attendees noted the spraying of water, specifically, as being an annoyance.
On the topic of disturbances at the dance, at approximately 9 PM, a male student was seen fleeing the dance floor out the exterior gym doors (doors not used for students that night). He was quickly followed by several school resource officers. A couple minutes later, two males, including the one seen fleeing, were seen being subdued by officers. Anecdotal reports varied, however there seems to be a consensus around the fact that the incident stemmed from a physical altercation on the dance floor involving in some way a female. Out of respect for the privacy of those involved and due to the nature of the incident, The Cloud has not pursued any formal investigation into the matter.
Because of the rescheduling of the homecoming game that was supposed to be the night before and was slated to hold the announcement of the homecoming court, the court's members were presented from the balcony section of the gym. Students looked up and raced over under the scene to get a good luck hoping their pick got the much-desired title of Homecoming King or Queen. In the end, a mixed ticket was announced: Daniel L. as king and Hannah B. as queen.
With that, the rest of the dance went smoothly. Jenna B. remarked how the dance was "pretty wild." And so it was, a far cry from its beginnings by around 9:30-10 PM. After favorites such as the Cha Cha Slide and the Cupid Shuffle, every choruses broke out singing to songs familiar to students. The center of the large mass was an experience only some would describe as fun, unlike what Gabriella said. With so many people, it was impossible to move through the crowd as the crowd moved you and, as many noted, the smell of hair spray and sweat was inescapable. Oh, and we cannot forget about the impossible challenge to not get your shoes stepped on (or toes walked on for our open-toed friends).
All in all, we would say this homecoming dance is one for the record books. It certainly was a unique, lively bonding experience for SCHS students. More dances to come?
