Homecoming week is one of the few weeks in the year that is unbelievably stressful, mainly for those involved.  Mornings are synonymous with being awake at ungodly hours and copious amounts of Starbucks (or caffeine in general), as well as (cute) Homecoming proposals, and hallway decorating.  This year, Homecoming is extraordinarily early, and people are realizing that they are pressed for time when it comes to decorating the hallways in particular.

“Getting up early [is going to be hard].  I can’t go after school because of football, so at 6 a.m., I’m decorating,” said junior class Vice President Kyle Hobbs.

Not only is it Hobbs’s first year, it is the freshmen’s first year, and they are quickly realizing they have a plethora of things to get done before the hallway judging.

“I’m excited for the final product, but I kind of want the process to be over with because I’m worried that we won’t be able to finish in time.  We do have a lot of ambitious people in F.A.B. [Freshman Advisory Board],  so I’m hoping they’ll all get things done in a short amount of time,” said freshman class President Kelly Mogensen.

Senior class President Mariana Brazao, albeit feeling stressed about Homecoming week, is confident that the senior class will be able to pull off an amazing hallway.  “We have a very elaborate plan, and we’re trying to organize it accordingly. We’re going to assign our topics and divide and conquer.  We’ll get it done,” said an ambitious Brazao.

Though last year’s PIXAR theme had plenty of potential to be a whimsical and carefree theme, students felt the pressure of trying to recreate minute details that the original characters and designs had.  This year, however, the “Around the World” theme is broader, giving students the freedom to incorporate different aspects of their city into the hallway.

“I anticipate differences because last year it [the theme] was PIXAR and really cartoony, but this year it’ll be more realistic and raw,” said sophomore Jack Taylor.

The drastic difference in themes does not faze Brazao, who welcomes the “Around the World” theme and is excited to see the final product as well as the entire concept of creating a hallway that embodies Rio de Janeiro.

“I actually think it’s easier because, with the city, there’s so much culture and liveliness.  It gives you lots of room,” said Brazao.

In past years, the judging took place after school, on the Thursday of Homecoming week.   This year the judging will still take place after school but on Wednesday in hopes that more students will be able to see it; however, a majority of the students who help out with the hallways feel that the decorations should be taken down after Homecoming week is over to keep up with the festivities.

“I think it should [stay intact for the rest of the week] because everyone should be able to witness it and live it.  You can actually experience the hallway and the beauty of it,” said Taylor.

Mogensen agrees with Taylor but cites the 3-D aspects of the hallway being the main reason that it would have to be taken down.

 “I can see people stomping through it, and it would get in the way.  It would probably be a safety and fire hazard too,” said Mogensen.