Halftime: cheerleaders dance, everyone flocks to Enochs’ concession stand, Sips, and you watch the clock eagerly to see when the game will start again. But at homecoming, halftime becomes a ritual with the annual class floats.
Most only see the outcome of the completed backdrop and perfected dances, though, which begs the question, who’s behind the scenes, painting the backdrop? Who’s spending hours of their weekend learning their dances? The floats are arguably the most loved part of Hoco, so the hard work that goes into it needs at least some recognition.
For example, did you know that the dances you see hundreds of students perform at halftime are choreographed by students? Our very own classmates are in charge of creating multiple dances for their peers, many of whom have never danced before!
For the graduating class of 2025, there is a star-studded team of choreographers: Sofia Mort, Abigale James, and Natalie Mariano. All three have been dancing for years and share incredible talents. Sofia described their choreographing process as making “the dance part by part until the whole thing is complete.”
On top of the huge task of choreographing, they are also in charge of teaching every participant their dances. For our choreographers, “It can be frustrating if people aren’t listening or trying,” especially with almost a hundred seniors participating this year. Although this is a great undertaking for the choreographers, they get rewarded in the end. The final dance will be “our last time, and by the last dance, our nerves are gone,” which makes quite the “bittersweet” moment for Mort.
The floats wouldn’t come alive without our amazing choreographers, but also not without all the participants. This year, we had around two hundred and twelve students join all of the Hoco floats! That’s two hundred and twelve students who voluntarily give their time to participate and support the floats.
The senior class practices five hours weekly, meticulously memorizing and learning at least four dances. Some are even in seven of the dances! Senior Taylor Williams said, “It’s definitely a commitment” and comes with challenges. For example, “having to wear a tight tank top” as Kai Garcia and every other senior boy are doing for their “Hot in Here” dance. But once the game comes, “it will be worth it” for Williams, Garcia, and all other float participants.
The 2026 class takes eight and a half hours a week out of their schedule as well to learn around eight dances. Junior Sasha Zuidema stated, “If the slightest thing is off, then they have to start over,” since she is in the 2026 leadership class. Although there are hardships and struggles, it is still a fantastic time for making “core memories with each other,” as she put it.
Homecoming has been a beloved tradition for over one hundred years, including the spectacular floats. That’s why they deserve the justice of recognizing the hundreds of hands and dozens of hours that go toward creating them. Sofia Mort has spent “every weekend from the end of August” working on the senior float, and that’s just one person! Everyone should stand with our Eagles in the grand Gregori vs. Enochs rivalry, and support our regal royalty, but be sure to cheer for the floats and dancers that entertain you at halftime!
