After a seven year hiatus, homecoming has finally returned to LFA. Unveiled with a passionately performed fake hoco-proposal at morning meeting, the setup confirmed weeks of homecoming rumors, drawing gasps and laughs in anticipation. This energy easily translated into a successful spirit week of  daily-themed dress days (varying from decade throwbacks, Ferry Hall appreciation, and twinning) to fan vans bringing the spirit to a busy week of sporting events.

The finale was the Friday night prep hockey game, LFA’s alternative to the traditional experience of a homecoming football game. Though unconventional, it brought an unprecedented number of students to the rink. Sporting orange and black face paint and even equipped with a speaker, they screamed cheers and climbed shoulders; the hype for homecoming seemed never-ending. But for many this would be where the momentum stopped.

Perhaps the startling change in atmosphere can be attributed to the overly-romanticized version of homecoming depicted in the media. In TV shows and classic movies like The Kissing Booth and the Perks of Being a Wallflower, homecoming is portrayed as the event of Fall; there are rooms filled with bouncing crowds, pep rallies, and friendly competition for titles of homecoming royalty. But realistically, is this something that LFA can achieve?

LFA has a student population of around 400, a stark contrast to most public schools’ number in the thousands. Paired alongside the fact that not every student partakes in dances, LFA’s homecoming turnout cannot be expected to live up to the packed-house media ideal. 

Additionally, prom at LFA, unlike at public schools, is open to all grade levels and is made out to be the event of the year (subsequently replacing the typical public school homecoming). Those that saw homecoming as the successor to prom, even unknowingly, are going to feel and see disappointment. Comparing an event held off-campus (at reserved yachts or museums) that serves as a luxury school-end celebration to one held during the stress-filled fall season in the school gym isn’t really fair.

This is not to say that the hard work of the Prefects, Kim Graham, Emily Kalis and Caxy Athletic Team in Crown wasn’t apparent; from designated photo locations, to a hired DJ and an exclusive Coax performance, the makings of a good school dance were present. Yes, the lights weren’t completely dimmed (which emphasized the oddness of the ceiling projections) and the music could’ve been turned up at least a few notches– with a better pre-made playlist. But ultimately, homecoming is more than just its decorations; it feeds on student determination to make the dance fun. 

Walking around the dance saying “this is so sad” is a self-fulfilling prophecy. If you just stand there of course the dance isn’t going to be fun. It’s a dance. You’re supposed to dance. 

In the end, homecoming is what you make of it. So for next year, if more people can set aside their preconceived notions of what homecoming “should” be and if minor adjustments to music and lights are made, there’s a lot of potential to what this event can be.