Similarly to last year, Homecoming was rather late in the year and took place inside the sports complex. However, this year’s Homecoming was notably different from the past, too, as no artist performed. While some students believe that this Hhomecoming did not compare to those of previous years, others argue that, due to its multitude of attractive features, such as gambling tables, the dance floor, and the food stands, it was definitely a night to remember.

The dance floor was roughly the same as last year’s, consisting of a stage with a DJ and a massive mosh pit in front. “Homecoming was still fun even though there wasn’t an artist,” Dublin High junior Arush Kadam shared. “I had a lot of fun hanging out with my friends, dancing with my friends, and playing poker at the tables. Overall, this year’s Homecoming was pretty fun.” 

Across the dance floor, students were seen joyously jumping up and down, singing passionately and having a great time. Indeed, the dance floor was so lively and crowded that some students were beginning to get trapped and shoved. In fact, the music was eventually paused and the crowd was forced to back away from the stage. Some people even tripped and lost their belongings, with one student reporting losing their corsage. 

One new feature, by contrast, of the dance this year was free food from the food stands. In the first hour, students were given a free drink. In the second hour, they were given a free snack. In the final hour, it was a free dessert. However, a lot of students were disappointed with the long lines and were dismayed to discover that Boba X ran out of free drinks within the first hour. When asked about the food, Dublin High junior Jadon Rybak expressed his gratitude for the beverages: “Even though the lines for the food were long, I was just glad they had free water. It was hot inside the sports complex, so I needed water badly.”

Another new feature of Homecoming were the gambling tables. Outside of the sports complex, tables were set up for poker, blackjack, roulette, and craps. Groups of friends gathered around the tables, trying to test their luck and win the most chips. Everyone had a great time in this area, but some students learned that they could lose their money very easily. 

A few minutes after 10 p.m., the lights turned back on and the music turned off, marking the end of the dance. As students exited the sports complex, they discussed what they enjoyed or disliked about the dance. Many believed that even with no artist, Homecoming was enjoyable and better than expected. If you missed the Homecoming Dance this year, make sure to buy your tickets quickly next year and not miss out on the fun!