There will be many firsts this year at Cristo Rey Jesuit as this inaugural class creates traditions for future generations. On November 6th, a few new traditions were born. It began as a weekend of celebration, relaxation and accomplishment.

Although Cristo Rey Jesuit does not have a football team, the staff felt it was important to host a fall dance like any other high school. The students had just finished their first 9 weeks of school and there was a festive atmosphere brewing in the hallways –girls deliberated on their outfit choices and boys feigned hesitation about attending.

The festivities began on Friday after Mass when Dean of Students David Garcia-Prats announced that there was a surprise for the girls—Homecoming mums for each of them! The mums were created by Ms. Diane Wooten, Principal of St. Francis de Sales, and her staff. Ms. Wooten had learned of the school’s first dance when she and other parish school junior high principals toured Cristo Rey Jesuit. Ms. Wooten was so moved by what she saw during the tour that she decided the school should not miss out on a tradition celebrated by most other Texas high schools.

“Every other high school in the country has a Homecoming Dance in the fall, she said. “Why shouldn’t Cristo Rey Jesuit? Just because the school does not have a football team doesn’t mean that they can’t celebrate this time-honored tradition, especially in Texas!”

Ms. Wooten quickly bought all of the supplies needed to make the obligatory symbol of a Homecoming party. Ms. Wooten rallied her staff and they proceeded to make gorgeous mums in Cristo Rey Jesuit colors of marigold and orange for each female student. Every beautiful mum was personalized with a handwritten note expressing words of encouragement and wisdom. The girls were presented with the mums after the Friday chapel service. Screams of joy and surprise filled the room. Many had no idea what to do with the large corsages, but the Cristo Rey Jesuit staff quickly gave the girls pointers on how to wear them.

Later that evening, the Cristo Rey Jesuit Student Council decorated the gym in accordance with their “Jungle” theme. The lights were dimmed, balloons filled the room, and the sound system was pulsing with popular music. Parents began dropping off their students and a line formed as Mr. Garcia-Prats and Dr. Cathy Thomas, Principal, collected admission tickets and made each students take a breathalyzer test. Each student passed, and the dance floor awaited!

The girls wasted no time jumping onto the dance floor and comparing dance moves. They were hard to recognize in their skinny jeans and glittery tops! The boys were typically more hesitant to join in on the fun, but as usual, there was one boy that made the first move to the floor and the rest joined in. There were a few who had learned from their older brothers that the ladies liked a man with some style –the scent of aftershave was strong and the clothes were more tailored than usual to allow for some skilled moves on the dance floor! Students were particularly excited about group line dances like the Cumbia, Carnavalito and Cupid Shuffle. Even the teachers joined in!

The students at Cristo Rey Jesuit are experiencing the same rites of passage that any other fourteen-year old high school student would. Having these social experiences is just as important as the incredible lessons they receive each week at their jobs. We are thankful to everyone who is helping us give these students the same experiences that are typical of any dynamic high school culture. This will certainly not be the last Cristo Rey Homecoming dance—it is a tradition that will continue for years to come!