Strobe lights flash across the dance floor. Dollar Store streamers flow from the walls. Cumbersome speakers bump the “Cha Cha Slide.” Dressed to the nines, high school students gather around tables, cause trouble in the bathrooms, and move awkwardly on the dance floor. 

This… is homecoming.

With COVID-19 causing countless uncertainties, many of us have been craving the classic high school experiences that we were deprived of during the pandemic. One such experience is the old-fashioned school dance. Considering that large gatherings are frowned upon, the likelihood of homecoming happening has been in question ever since school started on August 6. 

So, what will the fate of Homecoming 2021 be?

At first, no one seemed to know. Even Karen Hare, the faculty advisor for Student Government, had no definitive answer. She was still “waiting to hear back from the [school] district,” who were tasked with making the decision while considering the dangers of the pandemic and watching “the Delta variant very closely” to make “sure that there weren’t any spikes in the numbers.”

Just the thought of not having Homecoming this year left many students feeling disappointed. With a year and a half of high school experiences taken away from them by the pandemic, actually being able to attend Homecoming feels extra important, and almost everyone interviewed for this article said they’d certainly attend should it be approved.  

Most also agreed that precautions should be taken to ensure the safety of everyone at the dance. A group of ten sophomore girls said that the event should be held “outside” and that it should be a requirement “that everyone is vaccinated” or that they have a “negative COVID test.”

Two boys in 11th grade disagreed with these precautions but thought that masks should be required.

However, on Friday, Sept. 3, everyone’s fears and concerns of a Homecoming cancelation were put to rest when Ms. Hare heard from the district that the dance was approved. As expected, though, there are a few caveats: 

1. The dance will be held outside under a tent.

   

2. Students who do not attend Sante Fe High are not permitted to attend.  
3. All students must properly  wear a mask for the duration of the dance. 
4. There will be no slow-dancing to maintain a level of social distancing. 
5. Unvaccinated students may attend but are required to maintain at least six feet of social distancing, as opposed to three feet for vaccinated students.

All rules and guidelines aside, the fact remains that Homecoming IS happening. For anyone longing for those classic high school activities, this is warmly welcomed news. 

With the football game taking place on Sept. 24 at 7 p.m., the dance, which is themed “Enchanted Forest,” will run from 6 to 10 p.m. in the plaza.

Get ready to grab your mask, don your best blues, purples, browns, and greens, and get ready to boogie down at the 2021 Homecoming dance!