When we think of homecoming, we think of a big school dance. Students getting dolled up and having fun, but others just think of another dance that they will not attend. Although many people think homecoming as the “have to go” social event of the season, others just see the dance as another ordinary day with nothing special to offer.

Freshman year is where you enter a whole new atmosphere, socially and academically. Usually, freshmen like to experience new things like joining clubs and going to dances that were not at their middle school. Unlike most of the freshmen, Ayesha Ahmed does not want to go to homecoming.

“I chose not to go to homecoming because I suck at dancing and would feel uncomfortable dancing with a bunch of people that I don’t even know,” Ahmed said.

Students may find the event of homecoming as hyped up and overrated. Homecoming is viewed by many students as a waste of time and money. They do not find being sweaty in a huge mosh pit with people they do not even know that well as ‘fun.’

Junior Emily Pham is one of the many students at Niles West who chose not to be involved in this event.

”I just think homecoming is overrated. I don’t like or enjoy crowded areas where everyone is sweating and crowding over each other. I would rather spend my Saturday nights being at home eating popcorn with my friends, which is actual fun,” Pham said.

When the word ‘homecoming’ comes to mind, to senior Alex Bahn, so does the word ‘tradition.’ It’s been embedded in high schools since before we were born, it’s been there since the birth of teen movies, the ’80’s. Unlike Bahn, senior Ganise Concepcion‘s ‘traditional’ homecoming night is not going at all.

“For the past three years of high school I have never went to homecoming. The event was never really [for] me. Ever since freshmen year it has kind of been my own tradition to not go compared to the tradition of people going. I plan on continuing my tradition of not going my final year of high school this year, my senior year,” Concepcion said. 

On the other hand, some people would like to experience the oh-so promising ‘homecoming,’ but their busy lives do not enable them to go and have fun. Many people are involved in clubs that are not only during the school week but extend to weekends. Sophomore Eliana Bender is one of those students who would like to finally go to her first ever homecoming, but her constantly busy life does not allow her to.

“I would like to go to my first-ever homecoming this year, but due to my strong commitment to debate, I’m unable to go to this years homecoming because I have a tournament. I would go if I didn’t have a tournament,” Bender said.

Homecoming may seem to be the event of the year, but for others, this huge event in high school is just like an ordinary day. But truly, the people that aren’t going aren’t cliched characters from a John Hughes movie that are completely anti-dance. They have reasons other than deep-seated hatred for the popular crowd from some incident in elementary school. They’re part of clubs – Bahn is the Vice President of the ASL Club – and have their own groups of friends. No matter what your preferred way to spend a Saturday night is, you’re sure to have a good time.