At the center of the dance floor, the energy thickens as students pack shoulder to shoulder, pulled into the frenzy of movement. Colored lights slice through the haze, reflecting off of glitter, sequins, and polished shoes in sudden, electric flashes. The air is heavy with the smell of perfume, sweat, and anticipation, every shout and laugh blending into a roar that rises above the music itself.

Homecoming dancing has evolved from careful steps and practiced moves to pure momentum, with students jumping in unison, junior Sophia Shevitz said. Still, it is a scene she dives enthusiastically into each year, Shevitz said.

“I never sit down at homecoming,” Shevitz said. “I’m always on the dance floor. It is so much fun to dance around with my friends and scream the lyrics to songs.”

But the floor has its own rules, and deviating from them feels risky, Shevitz said. Pulling out an individual move feels like stepping out of sync with a collective flow that dominates the area, leaving some students hesitant to break from the rhythm, Shevitz   explained.

“Jumping has become the social norm of how people have fun at a dance,” Shevitz said. “I don’t think I’ve seen people doing real dance moves. You don’t want to embarrass yourself by pulling out a random move.”

While most students tend to mosh, a dance style where people jump up and down, often pushing each other, not all dancing is confined to that unified rhythm, senior Sebastian Murillo, Latino Heat dance group member, said. Students occasionally break into other styles when the music shifts, especially for songs with distinct beats or cultural influences, he added.

“Jumping and moshing is pretty standard for most students, including those of us in Latino Heat,” Murillo said. “That said, when the DJ [plays] Latin genres like Cumbia, Calsa, or Reggaetón, people definitely start dancing in those styles. Even if the vibe is mostly jumping around, those moments create space for more traditional Latin dancing.”

Students experience homecoming in different ways, Julie Smith, Special Education Teacher and Assistant Activities Director, said. Having chaperoned and planned the festivities for over 10 years, Smith has seen how some people are drawn to the chaos of the mosh pit while others gravitate toward the edges, chatting, laughing, or simply moving gently to the beat, she said.

“There used to be more slow songs at dances where people would do more ‘traditional’ dancing,” Smith said. “[Now] many students dance and mosh, but there are also students that stand around in small groups at the dance just enjoying the music and atmosphere.”

Even with the thrill, the dance floor has its hazards, Shevitz said. Heels sink into gym tiles, elbows jab unexpectedly, and the tight crush of bodies can make moving forward feel like pushing against a tide, she said. For those who brave the center, the reward is energy that’s nearly impossible to replicate, Shevitz added.

“[The dance floor] is cramped, and people push you around,” Shevitz said. “But I think people who have the bravery to [mosh] have a lot of fun.”

The chance to dress up, laugh with friends, and capture the night in photos gives the dance a weight that marks it as a high school ritual, Shevitz said. Every shout, every jump, and every shared moment on the floor contributes to a lasting sense of belonging, Shevitz added.

“I go to homecoming because I love dressing up and having fun with my friends,” Shevitz said. “It’s an experience I’ll always want to [have]. Some people don’t like to go because they had one bad experience or their friends say it’s lame, but life is way too short to not live it to the fullest.”

Years from now, the jumps, shouts, and pounding music may fade into memory, but the feeling of being part of something alive will remain, Shevitz said. The dance floor, however chaotic, captures the essence of high school: momentary, intense, and unforgettable, Shevitz said.

“Later in life, you’re going to look back and wish [you] went to the school dances and had fun like that,” Shevitz said. “[Homecoming] makes you feel more a part of the high school experience.”