Each fall, Seminole High School’s leadership prepares for one of the most exciting events of the year: homecoming. While homecoming time is full of spirit days, pep rallies, parades, and football games for many students, there are weeks of planning, long nights, and a group of dedicated student leaders who work behind the scenes to pull the whole event together.

This year, homecoming takes on a festival theme called “Nolechella,” the name being inspired by the famous Coachella music festival. Our leadership team has been working very hard- creating bold decorations, bright lights, and plenty of school spirit. They are turning the Nolechella vision into a reality for this dance.

What many don’t understand is the amount of time that goes into making an event like this happen. Planning begins very early in advance, as the student leaders plan ideas and consider themes. After the theme has been decided, they understand that they will be held accountable for each little detail: decorations, promotions, tickets, and entertainment, as well as the special elements that keep homecoming original each year.

Kendall Patrick, a junior in leadership, shared: “I am super excited for homecoming. We have been working very hard behind the scenes to make this year’s dance super cool. It is hard balancing schoolwork and planning for homecoming, especially with all the spirit week stuff and making decorations for the dance.”

Logistics are a lot to deal with. Placing orders for supplies, creating posters, finding a DJ, working with the administration, and coordinating people to help out, all happen behind the scenes as the rest of the school waits to see the grand debut. Leadership students usually balance their everyday school assignments as well as countless hours after school creating props, painting banners, and transforming ordinary locations into something extraordinary.

Peter Piacenti, a sophomore in leadership, explained: “Leadership is a lot of fun, but it is a lot of work during homecoming time. We’re working on banners and other decorations, so definitely a lot more work, but it’s all good, we’re making it work, and so far everything is going well, and we can’t wait to see the school’s reaction to the dance.”

This year, the festival atmosphere gives them a lot of room to be very creative- picture string lights, boho decor, vibrant color schemes, and the atmosphere that you would experience during a concert outdoors. Preparing the gym is only part of the challenge; there is the pep rally, the homecoming games, the homecoming court, the parade, and the daily spirit days that require separate planning.

But beyond the decorations and events, homecoming means a lot to the whole school, especially the seniors. For them, it’s one of the last big milestones of high school. That’s why leadership pushes themselves to make it special, because they want seniors to look back and feel proud of their last homecoming.

At the same time, homecoming makes memories for everyone, not just the seniors. Freshmen get to see what school spirit really feels like, sophomores and juniors get to feel more connected to their school, and seniors get one last chance to celebrate. To most leadership students, homecoming is more than a high school dance. It’s the time to gather all the students together, make memories for a lifetime, and shine the spotlight on the behind the scenes effort that usually goes unrecognized.

With Nolechella on the way, the energy and excitement are building. And where most students are selecting outfits and finding places to take photos, the leadership team is still working behind the scenes, making this year’s homecoming one to remember.