The 2023 Homecoming Dance took place on Saturday, October 7th, from 7 to 9 pm. Homecoming happens every year, but the most notable change at this year’s dance was the setting. Saturday saw the first Homecoming in the new quad, and students had mixed reviews about the setup.

Julian Osorio, a senior here at North Hollywood, said, “I don’t really like it. I feel like the colors and the cement are really bland. It seems boring, which was why last year was better with all the trees and stuff – but it’s not bad.”

On the other hand, Ava Hernandez, an NHHS senior and the Homecoming Queen, said, “You know, a lot of people don’t like it, but I feel like there’s a lot of space! Even the architecture stuff, where it’s the blocks on the floor, it’s a good area to hang out and just socialize without being in that crowd of people. I personally really like it.”

Ava Peat, a junior, offered somewhat of a middle ground, saying, “Well, it’s a lot bigger, there’s more space, which is good, but there’s also – it’s separate, I feel like? There’s a lot of different things going on at the same time.” Ultimately, though, she says, “I like this year’s better.”

One thing everyone could agree on however, was that the theme was a success. The La La Land theme was complete with a live piano performance at the entrance and film reel props at the tables. 

“I really like the theme, I really love the movie,” Osorio says.

Peat says, “I actually really love the theme. I watched La La Land earlier today to prepare. I’m excited.”

Hernandez summarizes the school’s opinion on the event, saying, “The dance is really cool. The props are really cool, they’re really beautiful. The La La Land theme is really good –  I kinda had low expectations, but they met all of them, so it’s nice. And DJ Rondini made the whole night better.”