Homecoming is traditionally a time for alumni to return and for students to show their spirit, but this year, there were more events than typical. As usual, the King and Queen were announced, the football team found success, and students attended the dance. During the week of Sept. 29, students showed their Cedar Park pride and participated in school and community events.

The varsity football team beat Marble Falls 51-34 on Oct. 4 at Gupton Stadium. During halftime, last year’s Homecoming King Cameron Kramr and Queen Bailey Todd passed down their crowns to seniors Ethan How and India Westenhaver. The football team didn’t let any distractions – like the hype about homecoming at halftime – get in the way of their win. According to senior Lane Waller, the fact that it was the homecoming game didn’t change the team’s mentality.

“To us, homecoming is for the school and for the community and for the alumni,” Waller said. “We went out there the same as every week. We try not to let outside situations distract us.”

Riding on the high of a second undefeated district win, students gathered to attend the school dance the next night. This year, the dance had a “80s movies” theme and featured student performances, movie showings and a live DJ. The dance attracted students from every grade, including freshmen who are experiencing their first high school dance and seniors who are enjoying one of their last.

“It’s our senior year, and we want to make the most of it,” Ariane Simondet said. “We thought about graduation, and we didn’t want to regret missing out on iconic high school opportunities like our senior homecoming.”

Every year, a portion of the students participate in “NOCO,” where they opt out of school “HOCO” events in favor of their own plans. Many students attended the Austin City Limits music festival instead of school festivities. This was the first year that conflict arose between ACL and homecoming festivities. The festival recently expanded to two weekends, the first of which fell during the weekend of the game and dance. Although the festival offered the same lineup the next weekend, some students, like senior Kaylee Frost, wanted to experience the shows first.

“I have been to homecoming every other year, and I figured ACL would be something new and different,” Frost said. “I am very glad I chose that instead. I had a blast!”

More traditional NOCO activities include dressing up for dinner and bowling. Students participate in all of the prep, like going dress shopping, doing hair and makeup and going out for a nice dinner, but end their night at the local bowling alley instead of at the dance.

“I’m really glad I went bowling,” junior Alina Tang said. “I went to the dance freshman year, and I wanted to do something different this year.”

The weekend offered plenty of events for all students, whether they participated in school activities or outside festivities.