Since the beginning of September, students have been making plans for homecoming. Dinner reservations, dress shopping, and poster-making have taken up the past month. Everyone is so excited for the big night. As they make plans, students are faced with the biggest question: who are they going to go with? Some choose to spend a romantic night with a date, while others opt for a fun, relaxed night with a group of friends. We interviewed Zachary High students to find out how they spent their special night.
Warner Barron (9) and Meriweather Wren (12)
Meriweather Wren (12) knew she wanted to go to homecoming with her long-time family friend, Warner Barron (9). She proposed to Barron on Tuesday, September 10, at his house with a poster adorned with Reese’s cups (Barron’s favorite candy), saying she couldn’t “Reese-ist” asking him to Hoco.
It is traditional for the boy to propose to the girl, but Wren decided to try something different by asking him to the dance.
“I thought it would be fun to propose to him,” Wren said.
Wren was so excited to propose that she told Barron ahead of time. Even though he knew it was coming, Barron was still surprised and thrilled when it actually happened.
“I knew I was getting proposed to because she was very excited to tell me… [but] I was [still] excited and a little embarrassed,” Barron said.
The two had an amazing time at the dance together. They looked elegant and classy in matching black.
Camryn Greene (11)
Camryn Greene (11) loved going to homecoming with her friend group. She believes that going with friends can take pressure off of the entire group. No one feels worried about third-wheeling or not knowing the people you’re with. Going with friends allows for a much more relaxed and exciting atmosphere. There is a sense of comfort and familiarity when surrounded by friends, making the experience more enjoyable.
“We didn’t have to worry about going with people we didn’t really know. It was just our friend group, so it wasn’t really awkward, and we had a lot of fun together,” Greene (11) said.
Before attending the dance, Greene and her friends took photos at Rosedown Plantation and had a nice dinner at The Francis. With a lot of time left before homecoming started, they hung out at one of the girls’ houses and had a great time.
After the dance, they kept the fun alive by going back to Greene’s house and having a pool party! They swam, laughed, and had an amazing time.
Javon Dent (12) and Megan Roussell (10)
Javon Dent (12) and Megan Roussell share a special bond. When Dent was planning how to ask Roussel to the dance, her best friend suggested giving her a teddy bear, and Dent loved the idea. He asked her to the dance with a bear and an adorable poster, saying he couldn’t “bear” to go to homecoming without her.
Dent was excited about the surprise but also a little nervous. He wanted it to be perfect. When Dent surprised Roussell with the bear, she was overwhelmed with joy and felt touched by his thoughtfulness.
“[I was] surprised and excited! It was so sweet and thoughtful of him,” said Roussell, “[And] the bear theme was adorable and made it memorable.”
Arnav Namjoshi (9) and Bailee Nichols (9)
Arnav Namjoshi (9) was excited to ask Bailee Nichols (9) to be his date to homecoming. He wanted to give Nichols the best homecoming experience possible, and that all started with his sign.
“I wanted to make sure that Bailee could have the best homecoming experience, and I felt that a sign really helps create a memorable moment,” said Namjoshi.
He decided to make a Beauty and the Beast-themed poster because of Bailee’s love for Disney movies. The sign asked, “Before the last petal falls, will you be my belle at homecoming?”
Although Namjoshi was nervous leading up to the proposal, Nichols’ ecstatic reaction made it all worth it.
“I will never forget the look on her face when she opened the door and saw the sign. Her face lit up as she saw what it said and accepted it. We both started laughing, and it was the best outcome I could have hoped for.” Namjoshi said, “That moment was amazing, and it’s something I won’t forget.”
Daylon Jarreau (11)
Daylon Jarreau (11) went to homecoming with a friend group, and it was an amazing experience. The best part was that even though some of them had dates, they still stuck together as a group. No one felt excluded, and no one separated from the group; they spent the night all together.
“The whole experience of going with a friend group is really fun because you can dance with whoever you want and talk to whoever you want to because, at the end of the day, you’re still with your friends,” Jarreau said.
Before the dance, they went to the Mexican restaurant Agave Blue to eat and take pictures. After the dance, they changed and went to an after-party where they had a blast without any drama. They even ended the night in their usual hangout spot: Waffle House.
