By Benjamin Hong, Staff Writer
The class of 2026 began their high school career with a bang on the first of October by participating in their first high school dance. With homecoming being such a central event at the beginning of the school year, this was a chance for the incoming Hawks to show their pride in their new school.
The spirit the freshmen demonstrated was truly a sight to see. They won the hallway decoration contest, the first freshman class to do so in nearly 10 years, and celebrated the beginning of the school year alongside returning students.
While an exciting experience, the beginning of their high school experience was definitely not viewed with enthusiasm by all ninth graders, Garrett Zagnit included. “I’d only heard bad things about freshman homecoming, so I went into it expecting it to match that,” he said. Going into the event, however, was a different story. Zagnit ended up reversing his stance, stating that his “expectations were completely overturned,” and that he “really enjoyed homecoming as an event, and appreciates everyone who put effort into making it happen.”
Some freshmen, of course, had a different view. Regarding his experience at the dance, Luke Towns reflected that “it was kind of underwhelming. It was hyped up and it was just really loud.”
Although reactions to homecoming among the youngest Hawks were mixed, they still managed to come away victorious in the hallway decorating contest. In this traditional competition, the four grade levels decorate allocated portions of the school according to their respective themes. For the first time since 2013, the winners were the freshman class, with a spring theme. Despite it having been nearly 10 years since a freshman victory, those who were involved in decoration were rather indifferent to the win, with decorator Erin Kim stating, “I was kind of surprised we won, but the news didn’t really affect me at all.”
While many students enjoyed the dance, for many freshmen, the highlight of the night came later. Whether having a late-night outing, taking over restaurants, or just winding down at someone’s house, public spaces were no less packed than the gym on the night of October 1. Like many students, Kevin Sun attended a homecoming afterparty and felt that because “it was a lot more relaxed and not as crazy or loud as homecoming,” he enjoyed it more.
While the new school environment definitely carries its challenges, our newest Hawks are rising to the challenge. And if this weekend was any indication, with them dipping their toes into high school life and managing to win the hallway decoration competition, this is only the beginning for the class of 2026.