This year’s Gabrielino High School homecoming dance, held on Saturday, Oct. 19 from 7-11 p.m., was nothing short of spectacular, as the quad was transformed into a lively, island-inspired paradise for the “Mamma Mia!” themed celebration. With twinkling hanging lights and glittering blue hues, the night transported the students straight into the movie musical.
The Homecoming Court was announced on Sept. 27. Heather Tran, Eli Lu, Jolie Wang, Chloe Tan, Ngami Ly, and Preston Diaz were the freshman, sophomore, and junior princesses and princes, respectively. The senior princesses were Leah Kuo, Emily Wang, Jeannie Vuong, and Katherine Liu, while the princes were Trevsu Marvel, Ethan Ping Low, Larry Quang, Jesus Gonzalez, and Ethan Hang.
The dance floor was packed with students grooving to ABBA’s “Dancing Queen” and passionately singing the lyrics to their favorite pop hits. Among the night’s most unforgettable moments was when three students appeared in inflatable shark costumes, busting a move in the center of the dance floor.
“I initially asked my friends because I thought the idea was funny since last year some kids came in gorilla suits,” senior Delton Louie reported. “Lately, we’ve all been stressing over college applications, and this was just something fun to take our minds off of it.”
Soon after, the music paused, and the Homecoming Court was called to the library steps for the long-awaited Homecoming King announcement. The crowd erupted in cheers as ASB President Jesus Gonzales was crowned Homecoming King. Colorguard captain and girls’ basketball player Lily De Leon, senior, was selected as Homecoming Queen the night before at the Homecoming football game.
The two received roaring applause, and as tradition holds, took to the floor for the king and queen dance—but this year, the moment took a surprising and heartwarming turn. As the slow music began to play, De Leon graciously stepped aside, offering the spotlight to her friend, senior Alexis Do, Jesus’s girlfriend.
“Jesus and Alexis are my best friends; they are two of the kindest people ever, and I am happy I was able to give them their dance,” De Leon said with a smile. “It made me happier to see them dancing than if I’d been me on the dance floor.”
Chano’s Catering, a local favorite, provided a feast of tacos, quesadillas, and churros. Beside them were complimentary water and chips. In the cafeteria area were Mamma Mia-themed photo ops, props, signs, and a variety of jumbo-sized games for attendees to play in their downtime.
As the night drew to a close, the final song rang through the quad, signaling the end of another successful Homecoming dance.
