Coming Home For Homecoming: Walls’ Fall Dance to be Hosted at School

As the leaves turn colors and the school year gets underway, one very important event is on everyone’s mind: Homecoming! Held at Eastern Market since 2022, this year’s dance will be hosted right at School Without Walls in the commons and on the terrace.

Why the big change? Many Walls students are wondering just that, with Hatcher Pitts (‘28) saying, “I don’t fully support the change. I feel like there were some issues with having the dance in the school just because our school isn’t very big and there might be some safety concerns around crowding.”

A junior added, “I literally cannot think of anything positive to say about this change.”

With the switch in scenery, some students voiced dismay, but others warmed up to the idea. “A nice plus was that everyone knows how to get there since we have to go there every day for school. It makes planning with friends a lot easier since we’ve already made the trip there so many times,” said Audrey Hayes (‘27).

The location isn’t the only thing changing for this year’s dance; the date is too. As returning Walls students know, homecoming was especially late last year, falling on Nov. 22. This year, however, the event will be held closer to when other schools traditionally hold it, on Oct. 24.

Walls tends to have more flexibility with the date than other schools since, without a football team, it isn’t constrained by athletic schedules. Despite lacking a team, the school still buzzes with excitement around homecoming festivities, including a spirit week in the days leading up to the dance.

While many students are excited about an earlier homecoming, the new date brings logistical complications for some. In previous years, sports haven’t been much of an issue, as homecoming typically fell during the transition between fall and winter sports. This year, however, the girls’ soccer team has a game on the same day.

Captain Campbell Tiller (‘26) expressed frustration about the scheduling conflict, saying, “The whole entire girls soccer team has a game that very same evening, and it’s in Alexandria, unfortunately.”

Hopefully, Walls will be able to allay student frustrations with increased resources for the dance. After all, without renting a space for 550 students, more funds are available for a DJ, decorations, and refreshments.