Homecoming has been moved to October 24 from October 3 due to the potential threat from Hurricane Joaquin. The football game was played a night earlier scoring a big win against Poolesville High School with a score of 13-7.

The violent weather predictions caused concern for students that were planning on driving in the predicted inclement weather. “We didn’t know exactly which way it was going to turn,” principal Carol Goddard said. “It’s better to be safe than sorry.”

SGA vice president Chase Soghomonian chose to look on the bright side and said, “It would be really humid [if Homecoming was during the hurricane], so it would make my hair look really bad.”

Although many students are disappointed because they can no longer attend Homecoming, they will not be disappointed to hear that they can get their money promptly refunded. Full refunds are offered by Watkins Mill for any student who is no longer interested in attending, or no longer able to attend.

History teacher and SGA sponsor Lauren Squier understands the inconvenience the date change has been to many students. “I feel bad that we had to make their plans change, which is why I’m offering a full refund, no questions asked,” Squier said. All the rules and regulations for buying a Homecoming ticket have not changed and still apply, along with the original price for any students who have not yet bought a ticket.

While the date change made sense with the information at hand, many students were still upset about the postponement.  “Everyone was so excited. For it to be [postponed] was just really disappointing,” junior class president Kareling Portillo said. “A lot of people can’t go [now] because they work.”

Senior class vice president Emily Aquino added that she was disappointed with the sudden date change because students were already prepared and looking forward to the original date. Aquino said that many of the students who came to work on Homecoming halls felt rushed because of the fast approaching date, but were let down after the event was postponed. “We could’ve had all that time to work harder on the Homecoming halls,” Aquino said.  “I was happy with how they turned out, I just think we could’ve done better.”

Despite the inconvenience the date change caused, students who were pressed for more time to prepare for the upcoming dance are now getting excited again. Students who were originally not able to attend are given a new opportunity to join their peers at the exciting school event. Senior class president Hayley Myren added, “It was kind of a bummer to have it cancelled, but I’m still excited for it.”