On Friday, October 4th, Pembroke Pines Charter was just the typical high school on the exterior. This includes the tan and orange buildings, long hallways, and classrooms filled with students stressing about their Pre-Calculus test next period. However, the next day, this would all change. Saturday, October 5th, Pines Charter became a place full of fantasy; straight out of a fairy tale.
Through the flowery vines, stringed white lights, and whimsical aura that filled the school entrance was the cafeteria full of students smiling and dancing to the beat of the song playing. Now, what Pines Charter event could this possibly be you may ask? Well, there’s only one answer: Pines Charter’s 2024 Homecoming.
Behind the magical dreamland the Student Government Association (SGA) created for the student body of Charter, came a very stressful journey to get there. When SGA first released the Homecoming theme of Enchanted Forest, it was towards the middle of September when no hurricanes or tropical storms were terrorizing the state of Florida. With the theme Enchanted Forest, the decorations for homecoming were set to thrive outside and capture the mystical woods SGA was hoping for. However, once Hurricane Helene was on its way toward Florida, SGA was hit with a harsh reality.
One of the committee leads of Homecoming, junior Giana Marte had to face multiple hardships in less than 24 hours before the doors of the school were open for homecoming. At first, she reflects that “…this was a huge change of plans that caused me and Janeyliz Baez to work all night changing everything.” But, once the crew of SGA gathered around and put all hands in, there was no one or anything that could stop them from making this the best homecoming that they could.
The love and care that SGA put into homecoming was evident throughout the 3 hours the students were in the cafeteria. Inside, it was unlike anything any students had seen before. Green, blue, and pink lights shine throughout the area while the dance floor carries more than half of the student body. The other majority of the students were on the platforms next to the DJ where they would be seen dancing, laughing, and singing their hearts out to remixes of Bad Bunny, Travis Scott, Drake, and other popular artists.
With multiple different age groups ranging from 14-18 in one area, it would be expected that there would be awkwardness or maybe even a little bit of tension. But, this was the opposite of what occurred. On the dance floor, all students from different grade levels were dancing close together and cheering on every single person who decided to show off their moves.
With a kind smile and a nudge, students were helping each other find the courage to dance on the platform together and sing their hearts out. If you were able to look in from the outside of the dance floor, you would most likely be able to see the joy that radiated from each student and the support of each roar and scream once a student started dancing. This is just another example of what it feels and looks like to be a part of the Jaguar family.
Freshman Julia Gayoso is one of the many who was a key witness to this and experienced her first-ever homecoming night. As this was her first year being a Jaguar, she didn’t know what to expect, but her expectations were truly met. “I enjoyed everything about [Homecoming]. I loved how everyone was having fun and dancing and they all just brought a good vibe.”
Towards the back of the cafeteria were tables and seating arrangements for the students to take a break to relax. In this same area were the PTSA volunteers serving Chick-fil-A and other delicacies to the students. Between this area and the senior square were students running back and forth as they were either waiting in line for the food or the photo booth. However, this later took a quick change as it was time to find out who won homecoming king and queen.
For each grade level, there were loud and intense screams that only increased as each winner was announced. When it was finally time for the seniors to be announced, a sense of anticipation and excitement lingered in the crowd. Once Emily Forestier and Christian Chavarri were called, the crowd erupted into cheers as the couple went on stage to retrieve their crowns. When Forestier looks back on the sweet moment shared with such a special person in her life, she recalls that “…it was a great feeling winning! It’s nice to have as a memory to look back on in the future.”
Once everyone congratulated the winners and took photos of the couples, there was no time to waste to get back on the dance floor. With only a little under an hour left to keep on dancing, students took every moment with their friends and peers to heart. Once “The Spins” by Mac Miller came on, it was like the atmosphere immediately changed. All the students rushed to the front of the dance floor and united as one. With some students on each other’s shoulders and friends holding each other while singing a song about cherishing moments in high school, it was the most magical way to close out the night.
As some girls walked out with their heels in their hands and boys walked with their shirts unbuttoned due to the Florida heat, there was still a shared smile on their faces. At the end of the hallway from the cafeteria, Mrs. Koch and Mrs. Hyacinth waved goodbye to the students of Charter. With Charter’s enchanted night coming to an end, the everlasting laughs and memorable moments will always be remnant.
