After filing back into school with the end-of-summer-time-blues, not much picks up high schooler's attitudes. However, one event does seem to spark some excitement through the whole student body-- the homecoming dance. Teachers, students and even some parents are all abuzz with the unending chatter caused by the dance. But this is for good reason; there is much to talk about! The cute dresses everyone will wear, what perfect hairstyle matches the neckline of you dress, what kind of nails to get, your date (or lack thereof), and of course, who will be on homecoming court. This cocktail of fun and extravagance almost never seen in the daily life of teens gives them more than enough reason to have gleeful conversations any chance they get.

For freshmen especially, this is THE big night. Everything must be perfect for your very first high school dance! While freshmen nervously try to figure out how the whole dance situation works anyway, upperclassmen are busy making plans. Hair appointments, makeup appointments, nail appointments-- if you're lucky, you can substitute a professional cosmetologist for a friend with some skills-- these all have to be in co-ordinance with your group of friends. After schedules have been made to meet up, take pictures, and have dinner, all that's really left is the dance. This is probably one of the best parts of the night, the big reveal for everyone who hasn't seen you yet-- and for people you've not seen.

Just being able to spend time with friends while dancing as crazy as possible makes the night more than memorable. Dancing the night away in bare feet (or your heels, if you were brave enough to leave them on) just somehow made the night all that more special. Plus, the songs the DJ plays are just the sort of song that makes everyone wanna get down. The whole night is just full of smiles, laughter and good times all around.

However, in my opinion, the best part of the night is what happens after all the dancing-- the parties, sleepovers and some rest! The whole point of the night is to have fun with friends, and a lot of that fun is before and after dancing. Homecoming is not a popularity contest; homecoming is just an opportunity for you to get fancy if you want, and just have an all around good time. If you're worried about homecoming, don't be-- no one will remember if your hair wasn't exactly pinned correctly, or if your makeup doesn't match the color of your dress precisely. What people will remember, are the fun times they had with you. So relax, let loose, and bust a move or two.