It happens every year, without fail. We often find ourselves picturing our homecoming parties going exactly as planned, but by the time plans are finalized, we realize our beautiful, shiny vision of a perfect homecoming will not be coming to exact fruition. 

The problem is often not about what dance moves were executed, what kind of pizza was consumed before hauling over to the Dome, or what kind of tennis shoes were worn. 

 It’s choosing our groups.

Let’s face it: teenagers are not always the best when it comes to organization. And homecoming often transforms into a logistical nightmare. Locations for photos, dinner, afterparties, sleepovers, dresses and shirts must be picked out, bouquets and corsages have to be coordinated.

Homecoming is unique in the way it brings us together, but also can divide us if we let it. The process of choosing who to go with is always much harder than it seems. For many, it’s about balance, ratio, and who’s-who. I have listened to and agreed with many friends who exclaim in frustration that homecoming is much too complicated to enjoy, and that it always ends up stressful, and with feelings being hurt due to exclusion from groups and otherwise. 

 Maybe we forget what homecoming represents. 

Homecoming is about welcoming alumni back to their alma mater, but also about boosting school spirit (which is important, especially in our generation). South has so much to celebrate. 

We as students are hardworking, collaborative, and talented. We deserve to have fun and let loose in this celebration.

 Homecoming can also motivate us to take on the new school year, before winter finals and just after our classes have kicked into full swing. We let the planning, coordination, and stress of who we’re going with overlook the main point: let loose and have fun. 

You can have fun at homecoming regardless of who you go with, as long as you’ve got some of your best buds with you. Mingle with who you want to mingle, but most importantly: appreciate the effort it took to get to the dance with your friends, the work you’ve put into school, and celebrate South for its collective accomplishments, that you have the opportunity to contribute to. 

I’m a senior- I’ve been through the gauntlet three times now, done the planning and the dressing up and the photos over and over again- and now I’ll do it again for the last time. I believe that I will not be able to find this kind of chaos in college, and that I also won’t be able to feel the excitement and jitteryness of seeing every kid you’ve ever known dressed to the nines, dancing to bass-boosted DJ tracks at volume ten. I’m going to appreciate this homecoming for all of what it is. 

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