This year’s homecoming disrupted the pattern that AHS students had fallen into. In the past each of the homecoming dances at AHS have been relatively similar to one another, differing only in theme. Because of this AHS students have always known what to expect when it comes to Homecoming. Students have expected to see their peers using homemade signs to ask out their dream dates in the Commons. Students have expected everyone to wear similar, monochromatic outfits. And they have expected a dance at Bumps.

Unlike previous years where public asks had been a massive part of AHS’s culture around Homecoming, public asks were not allowed due to a new teacher initiative focused on making Homecoming more inclusive. Many students were upset about this new rule, but a large number of students still had dates to the dance.

“I had a date this year, and I feel like a fair amount of people had dates to Homecoming. But, I do wish there were public asks because I enjoy watching other people get asked. And I think it’s kind of fun to be a part of that,” Annika Nichols, a junior at AHS, said.

Homecoming was not held at Bumps this year. Originally, sophomores in Student Senate planned to host the dance on the AHS turf. This was an unpopular decision, as multiple students complained that they would not attend if they had to dance on the turf. Fortunately, the venue was switched to Scarlett’s, a local restaurant and bar in town. Maya Abraham, a junior at AHS, was in attendance.

“I liked the venue, but it was a little bit too small,” Abraham said, “Also, it was a little weird having half of the people on the balcony and half inside of the dance.”

The theme for this year’s dance was ‘Sparkles’. While some students disliked the theme, others appreciated how open it was and how it encouraged students to dress differently from one another. However, the theme was ambivalent and not everyone dressed to it.

“I thought it was a good theme, especially since it’s very broad. You can do a lot with sparkles, whether it’s a dress or makeup,” sophomore Noel Shield-Taylor said.

However, Wesely Ferrell, a junior, disagrees.

“It was weird because very few people actually dressed to it, so it just kind of turned into a mess,” Ferrell said.