With the beginning of the year and fall sports in full swing, there’s another thing on high schooler’s minds. One crazy football game, parades, fancy dresses, dinners out with friends, after parties you (might) remember for the rest of your life and a fun night filled with dancing, music and laughter. Homecoming.

Although it is early in the homecoming season, social media sites such as Twitter, Tumblr and Instagram have been buzzing with the homecoming equivalent of promposals. For some, the most exciting part of the event is being asked to the dance or doing the asking.

“I would love to have a date to homecoming; I think it’s safe to say girls would love to be asked,” senior Taylor Day said. “From what I’ve learned from my guy friends over the past few years, they secretly love coming up with their big mastermind proposals, too.”

Homecoming kicks off with a spirit week, and the theme of each day is chosen by the SGA. This year, the theme of the dance is My Big Fat Greek Homecoming and the spirit week theme is “Greek Week”. The themes of each day are Mediterranean Monday (beach wear), Toga Tuesday (wear a toga), Rush Wednesday (play off of college Greek life), Hercules vs. Socrates Thursday (jocks vs. nerds) and Gods vs. Titans Friday (school-wide blackout).

“Spirit week is tricky; everyone has something they like and don’t like so we try to take that into consideration when deciding the themes,” senior class officer Madison Shock said. “We know certain days are more popular than others so we try to make it so that there can be majority involvement.”

On the last day of the spirit week, there’s always a pep rally to get everyone excited about the game and the rest of the weekend. The cheer and dance teams both perform, as well as the Lake Braddock Chorus Singers, and the homecoming court for each grade is announced. The most popular event at the homecoming is easily BVD, or Boys’ Varsity Dance.

BVD is a tradition where all senior boys who want to participate dress flamboyantly and perform a dance that the dance team has choreographed for them. However, last year, South County High School had an exceptionally provocative performance. This inappropriate version of BVD got it banned from the school. Because of this, some questions have been raised as to whether or not LB will be having BVD this year, not only because of the South County incident but because of complaints about gender neutrality.

“There was a major issue at South County High School with their version of BVD and it caused a major fire because of the cross dressing and that’s just not acceptable in this day and age,” student activities director Mark Martino said. “I’m a big believer in tradition and what kids want to do, as long as you don’t cross the line. [It’s fine] as long as it’s done the right way.”

Ultimately, it’s not up to Principal Dave Thomas, Martino, assistant director of student activities Mike Clark, or any of the other LB Administrators; it’s up to the county.

“Even if we’re allowed to go through with BVD this year, there’s gonna be some major changes,” senior Mackenzie Williams said, “For instance, we won’t allow the boys to cross dress, and the routine will not be as inappropriate as years past.”

On the night of the game, there’s the homecoming parade, which has students from the JROTC program marching, the marching band, floats from each grade and the members of homecoming court.

“It’s really nice riding in the homecoming parade,” sophomore Erin Griel said. “I like watching all the little kids wave and riding in the car. I got to do it with one of my best friends [Taylor Fick] last year, and that just made the experience all the more better.”

After the parade, there’s the homecoming game.This year’s homecoming game is Oct. 24 at home versus T.C. Williams, and the dance is the following night, Oct. 25.

“There’s a little more excitement, but it’s not too much different,” senior A.J. Alexander said, “There’s just a little more pressure to win because [it’s the homecoming game], and we win to keep the mood and energy high for the rest of the weekend.”

The football team has won its homecoming game for the past five years and hope to continue that streak this year.

The final, and to some, the most important part of the whole weekend is the actual homecoming dance. Students spend hours getting ready for the dance that usually lasts about three to four hours. Most girls get their dresses from popular department stores such as Nordstroms and BCBG, but online shopping has slowly grown in popularity.

“I get my dresses from promgirl.com,” freshman Nicole Partyka said. “They’re really affordable and have such cute dresses.”

From shopping for spirit days, to the hours of prepping before the dance, to the final score of the football game and all the energy brought upon Bruin Nation by the festivities of the week, LB students really know how to do homecoming.
“The whole weekend is just pretty great,” sophomore Zach Silva said. “We all come together as a school and get hyped for the game and the dance and all that and it’s just a great time.”