This year’s St. Thomas homecoming weekend began with a statement win on Friday night, as the Eagles crushed long-time rival, Central Catholic, 70-0. The victory set the stage for the next day’s celebrations, including the “Night in Rio” themed dance which took place in Cemo Auditorium, the courtyard, and the student center.
The dance itself brought the gym to life with colorful decorations, vibrant lights, and thumping music that matched the students’ energy. Many popular things remained the same from prior years, such as poker and a photo booth outside of Cemo for the students’ entertainment. However, one noticeable improvement from last year was the decision to keep the lights off, which many felt created a more exciting atmosphere on the dance floor. “I liked how the lights were off, the music was loud,” Sawyer Mason ‘27 said . “The snacks were good, but there were too many chaperones, and the lines were too long to enter and leave.”
Students embraced the Rio theme not only through the decorated dance, but through their fashion. Many upperclassmen wore bold suits in bright orange, sunrise shades, and even cheetah prints. “I liked homecoming a lot this year because the lights were off and I like my suit a lot,” said junior Louis Comeaux. The creative outfits and energetic dancing made the mosh pit a highlight of the night, drawing students together in a shared burst of excitement. The courtyard and Student Center provided places to relax and socialize, complimenting the high-energy auditorium dance floor.
New rules also shaped the experience. Only girls with a date from St. Thomas were allowed to attend, which some students found frustrating at first, but the change ultimately created a more organized and enjoyable dance.
However, the evening was not without complications. Administrators unexpectedly decided to breathalyze students at the end of the dance, rather than only upon entry, leading to long lines and huge crowds of frustrated students at the exits. Hundreds of students crowded the exits, chanting and eventually surging forward in a chaotic rush. Only a few teachers were available to manage the students, which led to this stampede of students out of the dance.
Despite these issue, the 2025 Homecoming succeeded in delivering a memorable experience. The combination of the football victory, improved lighting, creative fashion, and lively music made for a celebration that reflected St. Thomas’ spirited culture. Students left energized, their excitement a reminder that Homecoming is as much about community and fun as it is about tradition.
A big thanks goes out to the Student Council Hoco Committee who made the event possible, which included Patrick Daily ‘26, Max Demarest ‘26, Richard Brush ‘26, Max Moore ‘26, Pierce Jacobsen ‘27, Web Lewis ‘27, Connor Johnson ‘27, Thomas Hayes ‘28, and the head of dances – Jacob Quinlan ‘26. With minor logistics and order adjustments, next year’s dance could match the energy and creativity of this year, while avoiding the end-of-night chaos. For now, “Night in Rio” stands as a vivid highlight of the school year – where music, fashion, and Eagle fight converged to create an event students will remember.
