Despite fears that rain would dampen the event, the 2025 homecoming dance prevailed in giving students a spectacle to enjoy. To many, the Palatine Highschool dance was a success brining students together in the stadium with a night filled with music, tradition, and school spirit.

“The biggest obstacle was just trying to make the weather call and decide if the dance could stay outside,” head of Student Council James Nowak said. “We really wanted to be outside, we felt like that’s where our students would have the most fun.”

The outdoor setting this year proved crucial. Despite initial concerns of rain and storms, the event went on as planned. Being in the stadium allowed the DJ to use special effects such as haze, smoke, and laser lights that wouldn’t have been possible indoors.

“The dance was honestly one of the best I’ve been to,” junior Grace Kline said. “The DJ made it so fun, and being outside gave it a completely different energy.”

In addition to the dance, the return of the homecoming parade brought excitement back to homecoming week. These traditions, combined with the anniversary milestone truly created a sense of community throughout the celebrations.

“It built enthusiasm with it being the 150th anniversary along with the fact we brought back a lot of old traditions,” Nowak said. “I think being able to celebrate our history is what really made this year stand out.”

This year’s dance drew an impressive crowd, with over 1,000 students in attendance. This strong turnout reflected the excitement surrounding both the return of traditions and the celebration of Palatine High School’s 150th anniversary, making it one of the most memorable homecomings in recent years.