Fall has arrived, which means it is time for Tampa Prep’s annual fall traditions. These activities include Spirit Week, the Homecoming Pep Rally, and the Homecoming dance, which took place this year at the Westin Tampa Waterside on Harbour Island.
Spirit Week took place as a prelude to the dance, and the whole school joined in on dress-up days and the Homecoming Pep Rally. Students of all grades, including Middle School, competed in a series of relay races, the announced Homecoming Court played a spirited game of musical chairs, and set to poetry read aloud by John Bamford, Student Body President Tomas Alvarado had his hair shaved off.
“I was a bit worried I would come out with patchy hair,” Alvarado said. “Regardless, I’m sure it brought a lot of laughter, so it was totally worth it. I thought about all the cans that [were] donated to get to [that] point, and it brought me a lot of pride for the school.”
The theme of the dance, determined by student vote, was “Hollywood.” As students and guests entered the dance, they saw festive decorations, people posing with on-theme props at the photo booth, and Coach Zach Houghton manning the DJ table.
“I liked the Spanish music [Coach Zach] played. I think he did really [well],” said Kirsten Joseph.
All of these details were the result of many weeks of planning by Student Council and their faculty advisor, Dean of Students Lisa Harman. She explained that students and faculty worked together to make the event happen and run as smoothly as possible on the night of the dance.
“Leading up to the dance, [student council] helps with ideas for location, DJ, theme, food, all of the pieces of the dance,” Harman said.
As the night came to a close, Harman announced who had officially won Homecoming Court, which juniors and seniors had the chance to vote on. Students squished into a crowd as she called out the results: Aaron Adegbesan, Prince; Anna Butts, Princess; Tomas Alvarado, King; and Karis Cosmas, Queen. It was a special moment for these students as they were crowned, surrounded by their peers.
“It was super exciting,” Butts said. “It felt good to be supported by my grade.”
Adegbesan shared a similar sentiment after he was crowned Prince.
“I felt loved by my grade,” he said. “I didn’t know people messed with me like that.”
