Survey: What are Most Rebels Doing for Homecoming?

It is that time of the year again. Hair appointments are booked. Nail appointments are booked. Spray tans are booked. Every year, Vestavia Hills High School students prep for school dances like Homecoming. Every year, things are different as trends come and go. I surveyed students from grades 9-12 about their homecoming plans and some of the major trends at Vestavia Hills High School this year.

Girls spend countless hours scrolling online and shopping in person for the perfect Homecoming dress. I surveyed many girls about dress styles for this year. Many girls reported that they were wearing strapless dresses this year. Also, one-arm sleeve dresses seem to be popular too. Dresses with a sash are also going strong, which was a major trend last year. Additionally, many girls are wearing dresses that are multicolored or have patterns on them this year.

Homecoming groups always make reservations for dinner before the dance. Many groups do this months in advance. Some popular dining places include Samurai, the Vestavia Country Club, restaurants at the Summit, Bistro V, and North Italia.

As I have noticed from last year, bouquets started to replace corsages for school dances. Are more people receiving bouquets this year rather than corsages? According to the students I interviewed, bouquets are the most popular. Many guys are giving their dates bouquets instead of corsages this year. Many students explained how the bouquets make it less awkward to take pictures as they have something to hold. Dates often wear a white/ivory bouquet for their dates if they choose not to match the bouquet colors to the dress color. This does not mean that people are not still wearing corsages to school dances. It is just a fact that many are choosing a new alternative to corsages: bouquets.

Speaking of pictures, parents love to take pictures of their children all dressed up for Homecoming. Also, many people take pictures to post on their social media, like Instagram. Parents bring out their fancy cameras for events like this. Many parents and students love to take pictures at Vestavia Country Club. Students and parents like to take pictures there because there are usually many different homecoming groups so that you can snap a picture with more friends. Also, many students eat dinner at the Vestavia Country Club, so it is also more convenient. Parents like it because they get to catch up with other parents. The Vestavia Country Club also has a captivating view of the sunset. The Botanical Gardens is also a popular place to take pictures for Homecoming. The garden is full of beautiful flowers and nicely paved paths. This makes pictures look very aesthetically pleasing. It is also very close to the Summit and places to eat in Mountain Brook. Samford University is also a popular place to take pictures. Additionally, the Top behind Vestavia Baptist Church is a hotspot for pictures as the view of the city is a fantastic backdrop for pictures.

After the dance, many homecoming groups host an after-party. From the students I have surveyed, the main after-party themes seem to be neon, rhyme without reason, pajamas, and Disney characters. Usually, if you have a date for Homecoming, you match it with your date for the after-party.

While trends come and go each year regarding dress styles, bouquets and corsages, and after-party themes, some things stay the same. Homecoming is always a big hit every year. It is a fun night to spend time with friends and get all dressed up. People usually have a blast at Homecoming and make lasting memories. These are the high school memories that people remember forever and reminisce on later in life.