Credit for planning the Homecoming dance often gets overlooked. The AHS Cheer team produces the annual Homecoming dance, but Cheer moms do a lot of unnoticed work.
The moms of the AHS cheerleaders work day and night planning when, where, and what is happening at the homecoming dance. The parents have to think about when other schools are hosting theirs because that can hinder locations and dates available. Arlington students absolutely hate when schools host their dances on the same night, and that adds to the chaos. “Chosing dates and locations focused on other schools is really difficult for us moms to coordinate,” shares Kelly Abeles, cheer mom.
When schools have their dances on the same date, it lowers the options a students has for asking someone to the dance, a process crucial to homecoming. Students really get annoyed by this, especially the girls.
Girls take a long time getting ready, a “planning process” they must do for homecoming.
Senior, Gabby Krepela, describes her upcoming homecoming “planning process” which will take up to 2 hours. It includes hair, makeup, nails, pictures, a party bus, the dance, an afterparty, and a sleepover. Gabby describes her final homecoming as bittersweet but also very stressful, especially trying to find a dress that is cute and unique but not basic and boring.
Homecoming preparation can quite literally become a chaotic environment for both students and coordinators. “Planning takes around 2-3 months, and I have work every day on top of that so it becomes overwhelming,” Kelly shares. The planning is stressful but also enjoyable because she loves “seeing it all come together for the students of AHS to have a great night together.”
The dance is scheduled for Saturday, September 30, from 8-11 pm at The Columns on 2nd St in downtown Memphis.
