Class of 2028 Sophomore Homecoming

By Staff Writers Saesha Prabhakar & Andy Zhang

The bright yellow and white balloons and vivid Winnie the Pooh-themed decorations lit up the amphitheater, creating a vibrant atmosphere despite the overcast weather and setting Class of 2028 up for a remarkable performance. The honey-themed banner in the center of the amphitheater included bees, honeycombs, and a golden stream of honey, contributing to the sophomore class theme of “Honey Sweet Sophomores.” Other banners included intricate details in the characters of Winnie the Pooh, capturing their whimsical nature and securing Class of 2028 first in deco. The live band kicked off the performances with an energetic rendition of Gracie Abrams’s “That’s so True,” which prepared the crowd for enthralling vocal showcases from the singing airband, including Ariana Grande’s “no tears left to cry.” 

Following the excitement, the skit introduced Sofie, Kevin, and Sophia, three sophomores who had recently taken a chemistry test. Mocked by Kevin and Sofie for her low score, Sophia decided to explore a door in a tree, cleverly incorporated through deco on a side banner. She discovered a magical world free from the stress and responsibilities of reality, but Kevin and Sofie soon realized their mistake and chased after Sophia to remind her that she is supported by the MSJ community.

The Chinese fusion airband followed, elegantly drifting onstage. Their graceful hand movements and perfectly in-sync formations were enhanced by their flowing yellow scarves, allowing for an elegant and delicate performance. The serene mood transformed into excitement as the jazz funk airband took the stage, radiating dynamic energy. Their hair flips, flexibility, and choreography to popular pop songs like Ariana Grande’s “Greedy” received loud cheers from the audience. Even when technical issues arose, causing the music to stop playing briefly, the performance continued with confidence and stayed on beat when the music came back on. 

Continuing the energy, the bhangra airband came on stage with unique, colorful vests layered over their bright yellow shirts, incorporating their class colors while highlighting the Punjabi culture behind the dance. The airband enthusiastically performed traditional bhangra movements, perfectly transitioning from one upbeat, high-energy performance to the next: hip-hop airband. With their sharp footwork and dynamic transitions, the hip-hop airband electrified the stage with their explosive jumps, clean formations, and non-stop energy. Carrying that excitement, the K-pop airband danced to trendy K-pop hits such as “What’s Love” by TWICE and “Pink Hoodie” by Aespa, during which the performers added a splash of color to the stage by wearing bright pink hoodies. Dancing in tight synchronization, the performance earned cheers with every beat drop. 

The energy shifted from soft and whimsical to dramatic and fast-paced as fight scene entered the stage with flair and unique stunts. Choreographed to the pop hits “New Magic Wand” by Tyler, the Creator and “Evil Jordan” by Playboi Carti, the fight scene perfectly matched their music with their energy. Their series of fights featuring sharp kicks and flips thrilled the audience and created an intense battle. 

Finally, the Bollywood airband closed off lunch, with a breathtaking performance featuring cartwheels, electric dance moves, and even elements of hip-hop while dancing to  “Nice for What” by Drake. As a finale, all the performers rushed onto the stage, chanting “28, We Dominate!” in unison. Earning third place overall, Class of 2028 delivered a stunning performance, making it an unforgettable day for everyone.

Skit: third

Deco: first

Airband: third

Overall: third

Voices

“The way that the airbands went to the front of the stage and smiled together was the most memorable part for me after each dance. It really highlighted how happy they were to be there and perform.” — Prisha Agarwal, 9

“I think the sophomores’ Jazz Funk was probably their best airband this year. I think this was because of their synchronization, choreography, and also just the power and energy behind their movements. It was very clean.” — Ian Cheung, 12

“I think the best part was hip-hop airband, which was so good. I like that they used really popular but not overused songs and the choreo was very unique.” — Sakshi Dixit, 12