The build-up of school pride during spirit week culminated in a night filled with dancing, laughter, and smiles—that is Homecoming. The dance took place on the evening of November 22nd in the gymnasium. The excitement of the first snow of the year, combined with the upcoming holiday break, had “HOCO-goers” ready for an amazing night. 

Eager Haverford students poured into the school halls as soon as the doors opened at 6:15. As more and more people filled the gymnasium— flooded with lights, decorations and music—the energy of the crowd reverberated. The black dresses of the underclasswomen, along with the wide array of colored dresses and ties of the upperclassmen, created an appealing sight, with students enjoying themselves, dancing, and having a great time with their friends. 

The school’s theme, Glow Party, was a big hit among the crowd. Many students showed their admiration for the theme as they enjoyed the glow of neon lights which filled the room.  The glow sticks on the wrists and necks of all the students emphasized the Glow of the party.

The dance itself was phenomenal. Sophomore Grace DiMartino said, “I loved all the dancing and everybody coming together.” Haverford’s 2024 Homecoming Dance was memorable not only because of the dancing and singing, but also because of the sense of community reflected in the lights. The simple enjoyment shared by peers made the event special. “I love seeing how happy everybody is,” said senior Riley Younger-Walker. 

Overall, everybody seemed to enjoy themselves at Homecoming this year, whether they were dancing and “vibing” or hanging out with friends and catching up with peers from other schools. A personal highlight from the night included “meeting up with my date,” said sophomore Sebastian Landon. Junior Julia Flannagan said, “Just being here is fun.” 

The announcement of Donte Ducasse and Julie Becker as Homecoming King and Queen excited the crowd. Lines of students created a runway which the winners rushed down with students cheering them on from the sides. Everyone loved the sense of togetherness and community, where colorful lights and glow sticks gleamed with Haverford pride.

Although the dance was unforgettable and overall a blast, one moment altered the mood. Unfortunately, the lights of the gymnasium were turned on for a large chunk of time during the dance. “The lights on is not a vibe,” said Lucy Thompson, voicing a common sentiment expressed during this time. Due to improper behavior from some Haverford students, the DJ left for a brief time, causing the lights to be turned on in the Gymnasium. Despite the disruption, the energy in the gym didn’t stop. Haverford pride and community shone brightly through the continuous moving and singing of students, with or without the lights.

Homecoming was an amazing experience for those attending. Students from all classes had a great time and made so many memories. “Everybody seems to be happy, and that’s all that matters,” said English teacher Kelly Kolson. The Homecoming Dance is meant to be a fun and enjoyable night, and it seemed to live up to this standard. In the words of many students who thought very positively about the dance, Homecoming was “lit.”