BY ALEXA TSONGRANIS  |  Palm Harbor University High
If you’re a homecoming veteran, you know there are differences among the classes in approach to this fall ritual. Freshmen are often deliriously excited about the new experience and typically put the most effort into it. Seniors strive for cost efficiency and the least hassle. With as many as three dances under their belts, they know the drill. And if some had their way, they’d pull on a pair of Soffes and a T-shirt to go to the ball. Sophomores and juniors fall somewhere in between. To best appreciate the evolution of homecoming, tb-two* plunked a freshman down next to a senior and administered a homecoming quiz. To make this hard-hitting cage match even more interesting, we found contestants who are siblings, freshman Charlotte and senior Margot Samson, both in the IB program at Palm Harbor University High. They tend to have polar opposite opinions. (Did we mention they’re sisters?) One answered in anticipation, the other from past experience; she’s not even going this year.

Are you excited for homecoming?
Charlotte: Well, it’s my first year of high school, and I think it would be very fun to go to the first dance!
Margot: It’s not that I’m not interested. I’d just rather wait and save up my partying for prom instead.
What would you wear to homecoming?
Charlotte: I would wear a dress. I haven’t picked anything out yet, but I would like it to be short and strapless. I like darker colors better; so maybe something like a dark blue. I think having some simple designs on it would be very pretty. I’m going to be wearing black simple nice shoes. No heels, though, because I’m already tall enough!
Margot: (If she were going) a dress, of course. I would want to wear a short yellow or neutral tone dress with spaghetti straps. Something simple, though; no sparkles but still a cool design on it. I would definitely wear matching heels since I’m short.
Who would you go with?
Charlotte: I have some very close friends from my middle school who came to Palm Harbor with me, so I am planning on going with them. They might bring some of the friends they’ve met at this school, so it will be very fun.
Margot: (Hypothetically) I would go with a big group of my friends. It’s our senior year..  
Who would drive?
Charlotte: Unlike Margot, none of us have a permit or a license. We’re all too young to drive. So, probably one of my friends’ moms.
Margot: Most likely I would drive my own car. I have a white Kia Sol.
What’s the main reason to go/not go to homecoming?
Charlotte: To be able to dance and have fun with all the new friends I’ve made this year already.
Margot: I’d rather just go to one dance this year (prom) and have super fun at that one.
Anything special planned before/after homecoming?
Charlotte: I’m going to a friend’s house before homecoming and then going to another friend’s house when it’s over. We might go to a restaurant beforehand. But whatever it is, it’ll be fun.
Margot: (Thinking back.) Before homecoming, we would all hang out, take pictures and get food (duh). And after, I’d spend the whole night with my friends doing whatever we feel like.
On a scale of 1-10, how would you rate the importance of these three items: your style (makeup and hair included), your ride and your dance moves?
Charlotte: Style 6; ride 3; dance moves 8.
Margot: Style 8; ride 4; dance moves 10. Dancing is crucial.