The Dance

All of the excitement. All of the fancy hair dos. All of the thrill of the hunt for that perfect dress and shoes to match. The big moment -- pictures maybe on the porch tonight since there was rain. Maybe a picture by the fireplace. Maybe a couple more because my little one is all grown up and going to his/her first/second/third/or fourth homecoming dance.

Keep those pictures. The child that poised of those lovely moments in time looked that way maybe ten minutes into the dance. It's it own fashion show. For the majority it is lace and pretty and high heels and long/short dresses and very stylish. For others (mostly senior) it is circus o'lay or some variation thereof. I am guessing the theme for that group this dance was super heroes but not quite sure. It is really the opposite of a fashion show. It is the anti-fashion show -- how far from a homecoming dress can I get? So on the entry way there are "sweet and cute" fashions and then the mix and match versions of a circus with no taste.

I know I am getting old and really a fuddy dud but there can't be a full yard of material in some of those dresses. But the guys haven't change in 4000 years. This year the fashion award for guys has to be the large purple bow tie matching his date's large purple hair bow. That is creativity. The invisible man costume gets the award for best retro and the earliest recorded Halloween costume.

All of this is part of the program. Just part of SW homecoming. We never want to take anything too seriously. But you should see about ten minutes into the event. The heels come off quicker then the gentleman's tie. Sweat is pouring and we can't pull it up or down (sometimes both at the same time) often enough. What might have been attractive in those early pictures is now twisted and pulled and tucked and turned. Again all part of the ritual of a high school dance.

And it was fun -- It is easy to laugh but I remember being awkward and having two-left feet. The memories of not quite being sure how to act like a senior but having no clue what that meant are still too close. I was that freshman a little too awkward and definitely too shy and not wanting to be either. I wanted to impress the girls but at that point wasn't exactly sure why. So I shoved and pushed and tried to remember if I was suppose to stand still of move around. Whether I should hold her hand or hit her on the arm.

Well, that was homecoming 2009. It was hot and a blast. Over 1,100 students poured into the Sheridan and with only one broken glass we should declare it a celebration of being young.

We did have a medical emergency which was probably the result of too much (or too little) food, too much excitement of the day and too much heat (or vigorous dancing) of the night. We are pleased to report all is well, but we are sorry that was not a joyous evening for that young person.

Oh, the stories.... This weekend was also Alumni Rally time. You wouldn't believe the homecoming stories they told me and each other. But then again, I bet you would.