As the new semester gradually settled into its rhythm, LFA’s highly anticipated annual Homecoming dance arrived on September 20th. This year, the Student Council transformed Homecoming Night into a spectacular Hollywood-themed night. Students were completely immersed in this extraordinary experience. The Student Council’s meticulous planning and creativity successfully transformed a simple theme concept into a vibrant, lively evening in Hollywood.
The theme was the result of careful planning and collaboration. “The backstory for how we came up with the theme was that I had done some prior research regarding common Homecoming themes amongst other schools” and “Our junior and senior student council met up during preseason, and we all collectively decided that Hollywood would be able to allow everyone to have their own VIP moment,” a Student Council member, Esther Park’26, shared.
Later on, the Student Council adopted a brilliant promotional strategy this year. Instead of conventional announcements, they skillfully revealed the theme and dress code during the morning meeting through a lighthearted prank. This instantly raised students’ anticipation for the new Homecoming season. Everyone eagerly discussed their outfits and musical preferences for the dance.
During Homecoming Spirit Week, students participated enthusiastically, embracing each day from “Everything But Backpack Day” to “Twins Day” and “Favorite Character Day.” This built-up excitement reached its peak as students arrived at the Student Center on September 20th.
Moreover, for the decoration, which is one of the annual highlights of the dance, the Student Council skillfully extended the Hollywood atmosphere not only to the indoor space but also outside the Student Center. Transforming the initial vision into the stunning red carpet and giant star decorations involved significant effort. The biggest challenge during execution was “little hiccups in communication and how to set up the decorations,” Park said. Though it was pleasing to note that there wasn’t too much trouble overall. Ultimately, a striking crimson red carpet stretched from the lawn to the entrance of the Student Center, allowing students to experience the real feeling of walking on the red carpet like celebrities. Also, the giant red inflatable star became the perfect spot for photos. “I absolutely loved the inflatable arch in front of STU,” Miaochen Zheng’28 shared. More than just decoration, it offered an interactive experience. Students struck poses and laughed, filling their social media with photos of classic Hollywood glamour.
Inside the Student Center, the dance started with the performance given by LFA’s COAX band. The students’ self-accompanied songs lifted everyone’s mood, setting the stage for an even more vibrant atmosphere to follow. Later on, the dance floor became undeniably the heart of the evening. The DJ selected chart-topping songs and timeless classic songs, keeping the crowd moving all night long. The air was thick with shared joy and happiness. The success of this atmosphere was powerfully confirmed by student feedback, from both returning students and incoming new students who experienced their first LFA Homecoming dance.
For many returning students, the peak of the evening was a collective moment of pure, unscripted joy. “The peak moment was definitely when people were dancing and enjoying their time on the dance floor while the DJ was playing popular songs such as ‘Love Story’ by Taylor Swift and ‘Party in the USA’ by Miley Cyrus,” Zheng shared. When asked to summarize the entire experience, star-studded was the word thought best suited for this year’s homecoming.
Meanwhile, the feedback from incoming new students to LFA was equally glowing. The scale and execution of the theme left a strong impression on new students. “The Hollywood theme and decorations totally made me feel like I was at a glamorous awards show,” Zinnia Chen’28 stated. The highlight for them was less about any single song and more about the intangible, powerful sense of community. “Everyone was so into it, creating such an immersive atmosphere that made everyone feel fully involved. It gave me such a great experience and was memorable.” Chen said. Searching for the right word to describe the night’s lively and sharp energy, she came up with the perfect term: “Zingy”
This year’s Hollywood Homecoming was an absolute success. It demonstrated that a school dance could be more than just a party; it could be a thoughtfully crafted, immersive event that boosts school spirit and creates enduring friendships.