Why the annual Under the Stars dance was early this year

MCHS students at Under the Stars Dance (Courtesy of Anthony Smith)

By Maxine Salvador, News editor

As students return to Maria Carrillo High School for the 2023-2024 school year, they were warmly welcomed with the annual Under the Stars (neon) dance on the third day of school.

Some students were surprised at the timing of the dance because in previous years it’s been a couple of weeks into the school year. Senior Aanya Bedi did not attend the dance, though she claimed, “I was shocked at how early the dance was.”

Natasha Deakins, leadership advisor and AP Literature and Composition teacher claims that the dance was actually right on track. “The Under the Stars dance is traditionally the first or second week of school, however, it was impacted by the football schedule. We have a home football game [on Friday, August 25] and obviously, we wouldn’t have a dance and a football game on the same day.”

MCHS students Dancing at the Under the Stars Dance (Courtesy of Anthony Smith)

Another reason the dance was early, Deakins said, has to do with Homecoming being on September 29.. “If we pushed it to September 1, we would have two dances in one month, which is just crazy.” Despite the early date of the Under the Stars dance, “We still broke the school record with the number of attendees—over 660 students.”

Based on the attendance of the dance and comments of the attendees, the dance seems to be a success. Senior Abby Mills who attended the dance said, “I liked that it brought a lot of people together who probably would not have gone if it were later in the year. Freshmen got a taste of their first Carrillo event, and it was a great start leading into the following events like football games and other dances as well.”