No Place Like Homecoming dance

Our school is covered in brightly painted posters and balloons, students are proposing to each other, and there is an abundance of school spirit, what is the cause for all this commotion? Homecoming! Although homecoming isn’t adored by all, no one can deny that it is a very significant event here at Samo.Samo celebrates homecoming with a rally, a football game and a dance, but the dance is especially important because it is the only semi-formal dance that our school offers for all grades. This year the theme was “Wizard of Oz” and was appropriately titled “There’s No Place Like Homecoming”. Green balloons, streamers, and an Emerald City background previously seen at the homecoming rally were used to transform the centennial quad into the Emerald City for our homecoming dance.  Outside the quad were haystacks and a cutout of Dorothy and her friends to further add to the magical land of oz theme. At the homecoming dance students mingled with friends, enjoyed the photobooth and danced and sang along to some of their favorite songs. When reflecting on his homecoming experience, Bryce Smith (‘20) noticed that all of his fellow Samo students seemed to really enjoy themselves. “Everyone was there and there was nice food and everyone just had a smile on their face,” Smith said. Emi Ward (‘20) enjoyed how there were a variety of activities provided at homecoming so there were options other than just dancing.“I liked how there was food and lots of things to do if you didn’t want to dance at that moment.” Ward said.A large part of our student body enjoys the homecoming festivities because they bring excitement to the monotony of school. Calla Kruis-Grant (‘19) has seen that her fellow students especially enjoy homecoming because of all of the fun activities that accompany it, as well as the opportunity to show some school spirit.“School, we come here day after day and we learn and when there’s kind of an event we can get excited for I think, especially at Samo, the students take advantage of that.” Kruis-Grant said.With each homecoming event the spirit and excitement of Samo students amplifies, so by the time of the dance everyone is in a good mood and ready to have a great time. While lots of dancing takes place at the homecoming dance, Kruis-Grant has found that it is also a time for connecting with both new and old friends.“You hang out and talk and you also meet a lot of new people because it is still towards the beginning of the year. It’s a fun way to branch out socially.” Kruis-Grant exclaimed. Ward has noticed that one way to socialize and dance simultaneously at homecoming is to go into the gigantic student-made mosh pit that appears at almost every Samo dance.“We went in the middle [of the mosh pit] a couple of times. It was really sweaty in there.” Ward said.Although school dances such as homecoming don’t seem like much, they are opportunities that are seldom provided outside of high school. Many students want to take advantage of these fun experiences while they still can.“You should go to homecoming and experience these kinds of things because you don’t really have this opportunity outside of the school life.” Kruis-Grant said.After having a great time at his first homecoming dance, Smith has some advice for those who plan to go in the future.“You better be good at dancing. They played really good songs and you better know how to get your groove on.”