Homecoming Finds New Home and Returns to Rave Reviews

Students+enjoying+homecoming+at+the+Grand+Oak+Villa+in+Oakville+on+Oct.+28.

NHS Instagram

Students enjoying homecoming at the Grand Oak Villa in Oakville on Oct. 28.

Julianna Bellagamba, Reporter

WOODBURY — Following Nonnewaug’s spirit week and pinkout football game came Nonnewaug’s annual homecoming fall dance. The dance was held Oct. 28 at the Grand Oak Villa in Oakville. Nearly 420 students and guests attended the dance this year. 

Many students really enjoyed the atmosphere that not only the homecoming dance brought to the school but the energy the event provided all week, including spirit days, a pep rally, and the football game the night before the dance. 

“The tradition is the [sporting event] and it gets the school together to cheer,” said Nonnewaug’s event club advisor, Tricia Brown. “But a lot of kids think of [homecoming] as getting dressed up, doing something social with their friends and bringing dates if they can.”

Nonnewaug’s homecoming court pose for a picture from left to right: McKenna Hardisty, Scott Viveros, Grace Walkup, Gavin Sandor, Dylan Chung, Kailey Moore, Adam Budrewicz, and Julianna Bellagamba. (NHS Instagram )

“I thought homecoming was a lot of fun this year,” said junior Gianna Lodice. “It’s nice for the whole school to get together for the dance especially because the prom is just for upperclassmen. The food and DJ were really good and all together everyone had fun.” 

There were a few notable differences between this year and last: a bigger location, better food and a better DJ.

“I didn’t hear any negative comments,” said Brown. “I heard they liked the food, they were really happy about the DJ and how he got the people going.” 

A lot of planning went into homecoming this year from Nonnewaug’s event club.

“Many people didn’t like the location last year and how it had so many small rooms,” Brown said. “We had an issue because of COVID. We couldn’t plan it until the last minute, and because of that not many places were available for homecoming and we needed a place to hold over 400 people. But this year we were able to get a hold of a nice open place to hold that many people.” 

Next up for school dances is the prom, to be held in May 2023, an event that will be held at the Aqua Turf in Southington.