On the night of September 25, 2021, the Aztecs gathered together for the first Homecoming Dance in two years. Students showed up with friends, as couples, or in large groups. With excitement spilling over from the football win the night before, the students were thrilled to attend the first semi-formal dance of the 2021-2022 school year.

As the students scanned their IDs to enter the dance, they were immediately met by bright lights and ecstatic students in a large mosh pit as far as the eye could see. Stage mist filled the air as people danced. Student Jacey Beery, Senior at Esperanza, states, “everyone was really excited to be back after having dances canceled last year.” The students were seen chatting, taking photos and dancing. The DJ kept the mood alive with songs by Pitbull, Neil Diamond, and Drake. The floor was filled with dance circles where students could show off their moves including backflips and the worm. 

The dance also had a section where students could sit and relax in front of a big screen and watch the Hollywood adaptation of Beauty and the Beast. Others spent the night in line for coffee or to receive their very own personalized caricature drawing. 

A year and a half in the making, girls sported dresses of all colors from hot pink to grey, yellow, blue or sparkles! Student Isabella Duron describes her dress as “a red short silk dress with horizontal lines on the back of the dress.” Guys tried to look suave as they wore button-ups, bow ties, ties and dress pants. Many couples were seen wearing their corsage and boutonnières. The lively students, who were eager to dance, downplayed their style with classic vans so that they could be more comfortable on the hot and compact dance floor. 

Overall, homecoming was a grand success! It was a night everyone will remember. The Aztecs were able to share their dance with many other students from all around which showcased the amazing school spirit at Esperanza! HOCO 21 will be hard to beat! The bar has been set and every dance moving forward this year will have to meet the bare minimum of what was experienced this September night.