Previously, Winter Homecoming included the usual dress-up days, pep rally and crowning as always. But this year, there was a brand new event executed by the freshman Student Council called Snowcoming.
Snowcoming on Feb. 13 drew most of its attendees from the basketball game against Topeka High, which was held just prior to the dance. Students could either buy a $5 ticket to the game, which would then count as their ticket into the dance, or those just coming for the dance could buy tickets at the door.
Excitement built up around the suspenseful announcement of the homecoming king and queen, seniors Will Carpenter and Kat Ball.
“It was super cool winning, especially with Will,” Ball said. “ He’s been one of my lifelong friends since we went to elementary school together, so it was fun to share that moment.”
After the roaring crowd and buzzing student section quieted down after the close 58-55 win against T-High, many students stayed behind.
Students played around in the West Gym and kept busy with games like nine square and the highly anticipated gaga ball.
“I played that nine thing game with my friends, and then the Gaga ball. It was super fun,” sophomore Mikey King said.
Although marketed as a dance, student attire ranged from the day’s pajama day theme and the game theme of all-black through everything from casual dress to semi-formal, treating it more as a hangout rather than a school dance. Some students complained, wishing the dance could have been more hype.
“The dance is kind of scary,” King said. “Everyone was just standing around.”
On the flip side, some enjoyed the relaxed setting.
“Being casual is a lot more freeing,” freshman Susanna Fuemmeler said.
StuCo put the effort into this event instead of scheduling the freshman prom or “FROM” event they’ve done in recent years. Members appreciated the turn-out for this event and some even expressed their wish that this dance could turn into a future tradition for MHS, while others mourned the loss of FROM, a dance made strictly for freshman.
“I can’t help but feel bad for the freshmen for not having FROM anymore,” sophomore Wes Richards said. “So that’s kind of conflicting…but I feel like it could be incorporated.”
Students had fun, played with their friends, enjoyed the provided pizza and Bubblr and applauded the effort to create a new, energetic event.
“When I heard there was a new dance, at first I was like, really another dance I have to go to,” Richards said. “But then, after going to it and hyping myself up, then it was fun.”
