Saturday, September 26th, from 7:30 to 11:30 pm was Arrowhead’s anticipated 2016 Hollywood Homecoming dance. In the North Campus commons, students and guests waited with their tickets and IDs in hand on Arrowhead’s own Hollywood Walk of Fame featuring famous celebrities such as Walt Disney and Marilyn Monroe.

Once dance attendees made it past the velvet rope, they were taken from Hartland, Wisconsin straight to Hollywood. A smooth red carpet led students past a Hollywood sign and straight to the paparazzi for the evening; business teacher Mike Dahle and English Teacher Katherine Nelson snapped pictures as students primped and posed. Some students may even have these pictures featured in the 2015-2016 yearbook.   

“The decorations this year were really good,” said senior Gracie Brookes. “In the past, they usually had just twinkly lights and used paper for decorations. And I know the school does the best with that it can, but I think this year the decorations really fit the theme and it almost felt like you were in Hollywood.”

Once inside the dance, there’s no place to store personal belongings, which is why Arrowhead had a mandatory bag check in for all student’s loose ends. At the check in, students were given a paper grocery bag with a number on the side, where they tucked away possessions they did want to hold onto throughout the dance. Students also had the option of writing the corresponding number to their bag on their hand in Sharpie.

Faculty members were in charge of bag check in and check out to assure there was no theft. And because stiletto shoes were not allowed inside the gym, the bag check in was a safe place to leave them.

After bag check in, students were ushered through a tunnel of twinkling lights that opened up outside to Arrowhead High School’s athletic area. More velvet rope blocked off entrance from the athletic area’s parking lot, as well as a few paparazzi cut-outs and bouncers to prevent crashers. The night was exclusive to those who had purchased a ticket prior to the dance.  

No entrance was admitted after 9:30 pm; however, many students arrived fashionably late. Regardless, after just one hour of being open to the public, the dance was in full swing by 8:30 pm.

The common area between the East and West gym was also decorated in the Hollywood fashion. Three larger than life golden Oscar Awards watched over the guests in their dresses and ties.

Red Hollywood’s Walk of Fame stars, featuring the names of single guests or couples, decorated Arrowhead’s trophy case. These stars were free with purchase of ticket and many students claimed their stars before heading home for the night.

Also in the commons of the athletic area were beverages and concessions available for purchase, such as bottled water for when the heat inside the West gym was too much to bear.

Speaking of, inside the West Gym, the DJ was set up just past the half court line. Hundreds of freshmen, sophomores, juniors, and seniors huddled in front of the DJ in their corresponding inner circles.

“The DJ this year was much better than last year’s,” said Brookes. “He played a lot of songs everyone knew and that everyone could dance to.”

This year’s DJ had variety in his soundtrack, playing classics from 1982 such as “Thriller” to 2015’s hit “Uptown Funk.” Students danced and clapped and sung throughout the night.

“I do wish they’d played more slow songs,” said Olivia Van Airsdale, a senior at Arrowhead. “They usually only have one or two anyways, but if you missed both of them by the time you arrived at the dance or by running in and out of the gym or when you’re looking for your friends or for your date, then the night is a little ruined. But there’s always Prom!”