Juniors and seniors at Bridgewater-Raritan High School got the chance to hit the dance floor and make some memories at the annual Homecoming Dance on Saturday, October 5. The event was hosted in the small gymnasium from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. with refreshments being served in the small cafeteria. The event was full of joy, dancing and the opportunity to have a good time with fellow students.
Prior to the start of the event, students gathered in the main lobby of the high school as the start time neared, under the supervision of district security personnel and teacher chaperones. Afterwards, students made their way into the large cafeteria where they could sign into the dance with their tickets, which were on sale over the previous week. The fundraising amassed with the event went towards the Bridgewater-Raritan High School Student Council as they were the organizing body for the event.
The dance itself was hosted in the small gymnasium, also known as the Vaughn Stapleton Gymnasium. Student leaders and advisors from student council, along with some peer volunteers, decorated the entirety of the gym in different ways to represent the night’s theme: an enchanted garden.
The entrance of the gym was covered in artificial foliage and flowers. There were a number of signs full of lighting reading “HOCO” and bright, lush greenery, adding to the event’s atmosphere. At half-court, a professional DJ was set up with stereo speakers and a crowd ready to party.
In the two back corners away from the small gym entrance sat two pieces of memory-capturing technology: a 360-degree video camera and a photo booth with instant prints. The video camera functioned with a swivel circling a platform where students could stand, pose or dance to the music. Once the process was completed, the videography company showed the final product: a professional 360-degree video of the students in both normal and slow-motion pace.
On the other hand, the photo booth worked much more simply and was manned by Bridgewater-Raritan teacher chaperones. Students would tap on the screen and four consecutive timers would show up while displaying the student’s picture; students could choose four different poses in a single go. Afterwards, they were able to send digital copies of their pictures to their phones and even print out a proper photo slip with all the photos detailed. Both of these attractions allowed students to truly capture the moment for themselves.
Refreshments were also available for free to student attendees in the large cafeteria. The selection included blue or red cotton candy, formed on-the-spot with the help of student council volunteers, and a popcorn machine with fresh popcorn. A plentiful abundance of water bottles was also provided at the stand.
The dance floor was electric as the DJ played music across several genres, from hip-hop and pop to Bollywood and Spanish classics. Students genuinely felt the vibrant atmosphere of the event, and looked back on the event as being a highlight of their weekend.
Senior Anastasia Gatilova spoke on the memories she made at the event.
“The homecoming dance will definitely be one of the memories that stick with me from senior year. It was a fun night with people who made it truly special,” she said.
Junior Anay Gade was at the event, and shared his thoughts on the general experience.
“I thought it was a great time after a while where people started to dance and get comfortable. I think there could have been more things to do or more food but overall it was a good time experience,” he said.
Senior Viraaj Marathe, also in attendance, addressed the atmosphere created by the event organizers.
“Homecoming was a really fun time and I love how they decorated the small gym to actually look enchanted and otherworldly,” he said.
Bridgewater-Raritan High School expects to host yet another Homecoming Dance next fall as an annual tradition. For seniors, their next similar opportunity to make lifetime memories will come at Prom this spring.
