Leadership hosted its annual Homecoming dance in the New Gym on Saturday night. Still buzzing from the football team’s win against Wilcox on Friday night, students filled the dance floor in an assortment of elegant suits and dresses.
The theme for this year’s dance was Sunlit Skies, brought to life by pink pastel balloon arches. Despite the serenity of the theme, confetti and flashing lights kept energy high on the dance floor. When dancers needed a break, they could also indulge in chocolate-covered strawberries outside.
Junior Jasper Parkkinen DJed for the dance and received high praise from students. His choice of hit songs with danceable drops allowed the audience a chance to scream the lyrics at the top of their lungs and bring out their best dance moves.
“The music was great, and I think the DJ did a great job of choosing songs that everyone would recognize and be able to dance to,” sophomore Joy Leung said.
Parkkinen played many popular songs, including “No Hands” by Waka Flocka Flame and “Tití Me Preguntó” by Bad Bunny. Attendees jumped up and down in the mosh pit while shouting the lyrics. During slower songs like “Love” by Keisha Cole, students swayed with dates and friends and sang along passionately.
As students’ excitement built up, the night unexpectedly featured many cups of water thrown into the pit, soaking students’ hair and dresses. The turn of events made the dancing chaotic yet exhilarating, with many students finding the splashed water annoying but quickly getting back into the groove of the music. “Hoco was so much fun. I made so many mosh pits, so be proud of me,” junior Norah Boye said.
Often, the playlists at school dances make or break the mood. “The song selection was good this year. My freshman and sophomore years, Hoco was a little bit lame, but this one was so much fun,” Boye said.
Toward the end, instead of closing with calmer songs, Parkkinen chose to hype up the mosh and play fun, nostalgic hits like “Unwritten” by Natasha Bedingfield. Students kept dancing until the very end, with Parkkinen closing out the night with “Crank That” by Soulja Boy. Feeling energized, guests left the dance floor on a high note.
For many, this dance was memorable and enjoyable. “I had so much fun, and I think a big part of that was the amazing music choices and being with my friends,” Leung said.
