Eric Gao

As colorful laser lights flash and beats drop, students gather around the live DJ and socialize with their fellow students,

As the rhythmic beats danced across the ears of the Yorba Linda High School students, the sounds of celebration echoed a carnival for the ages. Laser lights swept across the Mustang Circle, illuminating students dressed in shimmery gowns and sharp suits, their faces beaming with excitement for the evening. Without ever leaving campus, Yorba Linda High’s 2025 Homecoming, A Night in Rio de Janeiro, transformed a typical Saturday night into a celebration of selfies, rhythm, and memories that Mustangs will cherish for years to come.

Held on October 18th from 7 to 10 p.m., YLHS’s A Night in Rio de Janeiro brought the Mustang community together for an evening of celebration and school spirit, as it was a first and final dance for many, Mikayla Wang (12) states, “Although I’ve been to all of the other dances at least once, this was my first hoco and it was amazing! I really enjoyed hanging out with my friends and taking photos before the dance, and then getting to make so many senior memories there.” 

Located at the center of the quad, the live DJ set the tone for the night, mixing today’s latest hits with timeless party anthems. Songs like “Y.M.C.A.” by the Village People, “HOT TO GO!” by Chappel Roan, and “Fireball” by Pitbull kept the crowd dancing and arms in sync. Siya Batra (12) explains, “I was waiting all night for ‘HOT TO GO’, by the end of the night, my body definitely ached from dancing all night long with my friends, since it’s our last homecoming.” Notorious songs like “FE!N” by Travis Scott and “Carnival” by Kanye West, with each bass drop and mention of the word “Fein,” sent students eager to sing, dance, and especially mosh. 

Students also had the opportunity to take a break from the dance floor and try their hand at some Casino-style gambling tables. Offering a lighthearted way to engage with their friends as well as learn something new, the tables were blanketed with laughter and friendly competition throughout the night, quickly becoming one of the evening’s highlights. Further, situated near the water station, guests enjoyed an assortment of desserts, with Cookie Element, a local Yorba Linda bakery, providing their signature cookie bites that proved an instant fan favorite. 

The success of A Night in Rio de Janeiro reflected weeks of preparation from ASB and parent volunteers who worked tirelessly to transform the campus into a space filled with golden lights, tropical palm decorations, and bursts of vivid green, purple, and yellow, capturing the spirit of Brazil. 

As the clock neared 10 p.m., the final song, “Sweet Caroline” by Neil Diamond, echoed across campus. As students slowly began to make their way out, their laughter carried through the halls, legs slowly aching from dancing all night, and faces beaming with sweat and happiness.  Therefore, the dance set a precedent for students from every grade coming together to celebrate the start of a new school year and the shared pride of being a Mustang.