On Friday, October 25, 2024, Mission High School hosted its highly anticipated Sneaker Ball Homecoming. It was organized by the Black Student Union under the leadership of co-presidents Jada Rainey and Maliah Sampson. Held in the basement gym, the event brought together around 60 students for an evening of music, style, and connection.
As I walked through the gym, I recognized many familiar faces and took the chance to catch up with friends. The DJ set the vibe with hip-hop tracks, but not everyone felt the music was perfect.
I interviewed two students, Jax and Brown, to get their thoughts on the event. Brown expressed, “I wish there was more variety in the music, but otherwise the energy was good.”
Jax added, “It was okay. Nothing in particular that was special about it. It was kind of dry.”
I also spoke with Benjamin (Bengy) Serratos, who arrived 45 minutes late and noted that only about 30 people were there when he arrived. He remarked that “everyone was on the walls standing, not vibing to the music,” and shared that he felt the high school spirit wasn’t present that evening. However, he had fun once Gigi Halsey, BSU Advisor, encouraged everyone to stop being wallflowers and join in.
In contrast, Bryant Angel, had a more positive take, simply saying he “had fun and enjoyed it.” His straightforward vibe reminded everyone that even with some ups and downs, it was still a good time.
Similarly, Rowan Keese-Powell had an okay time at the dance. “It was a good excuse to dress up,” he said, but added, “I had more fun with my friends afterward.”
However, many Seniors had a more sentimental look at the dance.
“We all came together and dressed up, and shared our last memories together,” Alina Rojo said.
Yadira Hernandez had a similar sentiment, adding that she liked “getting to spend time together on my last homecoming with all my senior friends.”
Overall, while there were mixed feelings about the music and energy, the Sneaker Ball provided an opportunity for students to connect, have fun, and create lasting memories.
