With a record crowd of over 1,600 attending last year’s homecoming dance, the Associated Student Body [ASB] aims to match, if not surpass, that number with its Saturday, Oct. 5, Swan Lake-themed event in the quad.

Although it’s not Disney-related, the story of Swan Lake is based on the famous ballet composed by Russian composer Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky.

“At first, I thought the theme was niche and too unique, but I realized that it’s good to get out of the box and try something different because there’s always going to be people that like and dislike it,” said social commissioner senior Tiffany Kim, the head of the homecoming committee. “I honestly really like the theme.”

The social commissioner said the committee plans on transforming the quad to match the theme with decorations like the chandelier, lights and pillars for an ethereal and magical feeling, Kim said.

Before the 7:30-10:30 p.m. dance, the ASB promoted the event on Monday, Sept. 16, with a theme release video shown in students’ second period classes. Since then, the ASB opened the homecoming proposal contest again this year on Instagram (@shhs.proposals), where the couple who receives the most votes will win two free tickets.

Dance ticket holders will receive food and dessert, including a taco truck and Crumbl cookies; other activities like arcade games and photo booths will be offered as well.

Even before the theme release during the week of Sept. 9, homecoming buzz had already started to pick up.

Sophomore Leona Ashley said she plans on attending the dance with her friends.

“I feel like I just want to go to every single homecoming, and it’s like part of the high school experience,” Ashley said. “Honestly, it’s always just fun to see everyone dressed up.”

After attending the 2023 Great Gatsby-themed homecoming dance as a freshman, she said she’s thrilled for another one now that she has gone before.

“Last year, I felt unprepared, but now, I feel like I actually know what to expect,” the sophomore said. “It was still fun, but I’m excited about this year because now I know more people.”

Similarly, junior Elliot Pop said he has already decided to go again after what he perceived to be a great turnout the previous year.

“I’m most excited to be in the mosh pit with my friends for this year’s dance,” Pop said.

After the theme release, Ashley said she had a positive reaction, even though she initially worried it might not live up to last year’s elegant “Roaring ‘20s” theme.

“I was afraid I wasn’t going to like it or it wouldn’t be able to top last year’s theme because I associate such good memories with it,” the sophomore said. “I like the theme a lot because it’s very tasteful, and I did ballet for a very long time, so it hits close to home in a way.”

The homecoming court will be announced during half-time on Friday, Oct. 4, during the football game, not during the dance like in previous years, Kim said.

Tickets went on sale on Monday, Sept. 16, in the Sunny Hills webstore, with the prices starting at $25 with the ASB Gold Card and $30 without. The final prices by the last week, Tuesday-Saturday, Oct. 1-5, will be $45 with and $50 without, the senior said.

“As an organizer, I hope that many people come and enjoy, especially those that usually don’t come out to school events,” Kim said.

ASB adviser David Fenstermaker said he has confidence in his ASB students that they will bring in a high number of ticket sales.

“I picked these guys because I trust that they’re gonna do what’s best, and then they pick the theme, and then I just support them,” Fenstermaker said.