Growing up, it was easy to get lost in the fantasies of our teenage years. We thought stepping onto the movie set of highschool would be the official start to our lives. Thanks to classics such as Mean Girls, High School Musical, and The Perks of Being a Wallflower, the most anticipated experience was our first real school dance. No more awkward middle school socials where slow songs received unanimous moans and groans. Homecoming would be the “most magical” night of our lives. However, like nearly all high school dreams, thousand-dollar dresses and suits, your future spouse as a date, and gourmet meals in between bodacious dancing are simply not a reality. But that does not mean that four years of one special October night have to be a tiresome let down. In most cases, the actuality of homecoming can prove much more enjoyable than the “king and queen” social pressures and extravagant dance numbers we were taught to expect. So, what deems a Bay Area homecoming “successful”? What extra steps should be taken in the planning and execution of this school celebration? How did Monte Vista stack up against its neighboring schools in terms of student enjoyment?
Monte Vista’s closest neighbor and fiercest rival, San Ramon Valley High School, had a wide range of entertainment spanning throughout their entire campus on homecoming night. From DJs featuring a well-praised set of music to conspicuous games such as poker; there truly was something for everyone. “SRV is really prideful and I feel like that was shown through our homecoming,” said Katelyn Lonergan, a Junior at the school. “A lot of people show up to our dance, all grades alike, and bring tons of energy, especially during dancing and games… most of them actually enjoy being at their school homecoming and surrounded by their peers.”
While the California High School Grizzlies did not have easy access to free food or water, their music was the most esteemed out of my interviewees. “They played all trendy songs and rap until the end which was perfect…they had such a good playlist and it kept everyone upbeat,” said Summer Lane, a senior who attended the event. “It felt like a concert. There were good lights and the crowded environment made it more fun in a way.” However, this style of music along with its “mosh pit” was the reason for criticism from other students. Some even called it “hostile and gross,” such as Akshaya Sriram, a Junior who’s perfectly curled hair was left tangled and frizzy after the event.
Dougherty Valley High School was the most unique in their event’s photo opportunities, hosting various stations containing themes such as NYC and Barbie. For those who needed a rest from the screaming and jumping, there was a silent disco with complete headsets. “There were tons of lights and really good music… so many activities I have never seen at a school dance before,” said Sreesha Bose, a Monte Vista student who sacrificed her own homecoming in order to “see what all the ‘hype’ was about.”
Heading South-East of Monte Vista, we find Dublin High School, which I chose to include because of how extraordinary their homecoming experience has been in the past years. Teenagers across the Bay Area seek out guest passes to get a chance at seeing the famous artists this seemingly standard school has handed their stage to. For example, they had YBN Nahmir in 2021 and NLE Choppa in 2022, who are both rappers with millions of listeners and social media followers. Dublin surely manages to earn the biggest attendance out of any homecoming in the area, and excites music fans with the “concert” of a lifetime. “The whole school comes together. I think it makes us bond, as we are all so excited,” said Gianna Masinter, a Senior who has experienced the event every year of her high school career. However, for many DHS students, bordering violence in the mosh pit as students squeezed and jumped to get closer to the stage is not what they signed up for. Much of the school’s population can tell horror stories of extreme claustrophobia and instances of being nearly trampled. When I attended the function last year, my excitement quickly turned to horror as I watched one of my friends pass out amidst the intensity. This may be a huge factor in why the school is choosing to not fund performers, keep the dance indoors, and limit the number of outside students attending this year. Masinter acknowledges the change saying “ I’m bummed that we don’t have an artist, but you never know if there will be a surprise in store. I’m just hoping there will be something since it’s my senior year.”
Keeping all of these experiences in mind, let’s evaluate Monte Vista High School’s 2023 homecoming dance. If you arrived even remotely on time, you were greeted with a position among jam-packed sequins and bow ties in a line spanning across the corridor. When finally gaining entry, beaming lights in all color assortments brighten your somewhat annoyed mood as they shine across the mosh pit. While at first small and timid, Mo Bamba quickly heightened levels of excitement within the mosh. Dancing participation would fluctuate based on the music choices throughout the rest of the night. Complaints critiqued just how many “unenergetic” songs were chosen. And unfortunately, “when [students] would try to recommend songs that people could actually ‘mosh’ to, the DJ’s didn’t have it in their database,” said Darya Hassibi, a Monte Vista Senior who ended up leaving early. Nonetheless, outside of the music, games such as Table Tennis kept students blissfully occupied. “The sounds of Ping Pong were like music to my ears” said Ayaan Khan, a senior who transferred this year from Dougherty Valley. Luckily for those looking for a snack after breaking a sweat, food trucks offered tacos and sodas. However, long lines left some students wondering if it was worth their time. “What if the Weeknd came on while we were waiting?” Mihika Shrivastava, a senior, found herself thinking. Most highly regarded was the rotating camera which gave attendees the chance to showcase all of their angles with friends of their choosing. A chance at their very own red carpet style video. Even so, “I still wish there was an old-fashioned photo booth,” said Nazish Qureshii, a senior. All in all, the experience was well put together and the set up proved aesthetically pleasing. Students enjoyed their time even if their favorite song or genre wasn’t featured. I was impressed by the stunning dresses and suits worn by each and every Mustang. The amount of pure enthusiasm and liveliness brought by Monte Vista students across all grades is what took the dance to its full potential.
Ultimately, highschool only comes once. One opportunity to lose yourself in school spirit and festivities. While it may be tempting to act “too cool” for homecoming, Monte Vista’s decorations, activities, and student attire showcases the unique culture in a new, exciting, and innovative way each year. It is helpful to reflect on the offerings of an event so that they can be recreated or improved in following years. Nevertheless, every school function is defined by the way its students interact with it. We all have the choice to attend each and every game, dance, and rally with the energy and passion only a Mustang could provide.
