SPB’s First Four Grade HOCO (2025)

By Emma Yu

As the first trimester drew to a close, the echoes of our students’ blood, sweat, and tears lingered in the air—a testament to the final exams they had just conquered. To celebrate their perseverance, SPB’s inaugural four-grade HOCO unfolded on a night that shimmered with anticipation. November 15th became a tapestry of memories, woven especially for our seniors—the first of SPB to ever call this their “last homecoming.”

Though the festivities were restricted to the familiar embrace of the cafeteria and quad, the spirit of celebration was boundless. The savory aroma of Chipotle burritos and chips drifted from the tables, mingling with the glow of beautiful 1920s-themed decorations and the gleam of a photobooth, where laughter echoed through the lines that seemed to stretch forever. When the DJ hit the music, the dance floor blossomed into life. When the HOCO king and queen, Apollo Grimes and Jessica Jaczynski, were announced, the entire room burst into a roar of applause. Excitement filled the room, and bright camera flashes sparkled like stars to capture the moment. Soon, time slipped away, and the three-hour celebration vanished in a heartbeat, leaving only the afterglow of joy behind.