On September 16th Heritage students and their bids lined up for their entrance into the dance, however many of them would be leaving before the dance even ended. As students planned rides and where their photos would be taken, one thing seemed rather common across all plans. They would be leaving Homecoming early this year.

 Not everyone’s reasons were the same when it came down to why they left. Many had other plans or things they wanted to do that same night, some physically couldn’t stay, others had plans the next morning and some left because they just were not impressed with Homecoming this year.

 “I chose to leave early because I wanted to beat the crowd at Mel’s,” Andy Holifield(12) said when she was interviewed. She went on to explain that she had fun at homecoming and enjoyed seeing her friends dressed up but had no need to stay longer when she could skip the after dance Mel’s crowd that happens every year.

 “I left because me and some friends were getting together after the dance and we didn’t want to be out all night. Plus I’m not a fan of the music choice.” Colby Reyburn (11) explained. This was a rather popular opinion this year. Heritage’s well known DJ High Top was replaced this year and many students were disappointed when it came to the music.

 The music was not the only change this year, the setup of the dance floor at homecoming had also drastically changed. While some enjoyed the extra lights and odd riser in the middle of the dance floor, not everyone enjoyed the updates.

 “The issue is that there were too many moving lights,” Zachary Welker (12) said. Welker was diagnosed with epilepsy and moving and flashing lights can cause him to have a seizure. “Most dances have lights by the DJ only so I can turn around and not be bothered. But having them all around me makes me fear for my health.” Welker believes that having so many lights out is dangerous to not only him but others at the school who have similar issues. He has spent a majority of the past four homecomings in the cafeteria, far away from anything that could possibly hurt him.

“I went to dance and being fearful that the lights could affect me isn’t what I want. I want to go to a dance without the fear of having a seizure.”

 Clearly, this year’s dance has not met the expectations set by previous years. But what could be improved to make students want to stay at the dance and get their money’s worth?   

 Many others Heritage students agreed with the idea that the music and the stage setup was strange and could have been changed. Overall, it was clearly a very popular opinion that going somewhere else would be more fun for many of Heritage students.