Naperville North High School’s Homecoming dance is this Saturday, Sept. 21 from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. Unlike the past two years, it will take place outside in the Athletic Parking Lot. This change in venue is expected to invoke a positive reaction from NNHS students.
The switch from indoors to outdoors has been requested by numerous students over the past two years, especially by the class of 2025, who experienced the dance outside their freshman year. Dean of Student Activities Jennifer Baumgarter explains how student advocacy and feedback impacted the administration’s decision on where to host the dance.
“Interact [club] came to me and asked me about it… I listened to quite a few kids…they said we wanna do it outside. I’m like, let’s do it,” Baumgartner said.
The dance, taking place two weeks earlier than it did during the 2023-2024 school year, is set on a popular date. Schools in the surrounding community such as Benet Academy, Naperville Central High School and Waubonsie Valley High School Homecoming dances are all taking place this Saturday. All three of these high schools feature elements of the dance that will be held outside.
NNHS’s Interact Club is dedicated to bringing volunteer opportunities to students. The club is additionally in charge of planning Homecoming. Interact Club oversees a variety of Homecoming Week duties, from running theme days during Spirit Week, to decorating the dance’s venue. NNHS senior and Interact Club President Ria Vaid elaborates on the club’s motives behind the change.
“As a club, we wanted to be able to have it outside, because it was more meaningful and fun for the students,” Vaid said.
Throughout Homecoming Week, anticipation for the dance has grown every day. NNHS Junior Allison Baugh shares how positive stories from her senior friends are making her enthusiastic for the new experience.
“I’m really excited about it because a lot of people who are seniors now, who had it outside during COVID, said it was a lot of fun,” Baugh said.
Upon arriving at NNHS, students are asked to check in through the Contest Gym like usual. From there they can go to the Athletic Parking Lot to dance with a DJ and snack on concessions. The last time NNHS hosted Homecoming outside was in 2021 due to COVID-19 restrictions, where the dance was held in a heated tent. Instead of a tent this year, the dance will be fenced in.
While most returning Huskies know what to expect from school dances, the freshman class will learn firsthand this Saturday. NNHS freshman Josie Coyle explains her general concerns with the dance.
“I hope it’s not anything like middle school dances, where they just weren’t fun,” Coyle said.
One downside to having the dance indoors is that the room becomes incredibly hot and uncomfortable. Baugh discusses how she hopes the outside climate will lead to a better experience at the dance.
“When it’s outside, you’re getting fresh air and that way it’s not super cramped in the gym and it feels sweaty. Since we’re all outside, I feel like we can maybe spread out a little more,” Baugh said.
The dance being held outside is especially meaningful to the senior class, providing a full circle moment from their freshman year. NNHS senior and Student Government President Adalyn Doxey expects to finish her Homecoming experiences positively.
“Part of the reason why I loved it might have been because it was my first school dance, but I have good memories with Homecoming being outside, and I’m excited to finish off my high school experience with this Homecoming being outside,” Doxey said.
