Students of Communications High School (CHS) sported decorative masks and colorful dresses at the masquerade-themed Homecoming Dance on Friday, Nov. 15. The dance was hosted by SkillsUSA, which sold homemade masquerade masks for students to buy and wear to the dance.

The SkillsUSA council planned to fill the cafeteria with decorations that resembled a 15th-century masquerade ball. SkillsUSA president, senior Phin Whedon of Wall, had high hopes for the decorations.

“We really wanted to wow people with our decorations, since our number one hope was to create a classy atmosphere,” Whedon said. “I kept pushing for a chandelier at the dance and I was constantly annoying the rest of the council about it, but I thought it was just a dream. We ended up finding a reasonably priced one, and I feel like that was the moment when the dance really came together.”

Students attending the dance had the opportunity to elect a Homecoming King and Queen. The final results awarded math teacher Scott Stengele as Homecoming King, while the Homecoming Queen resulted in a tie between sophomore Katie Mountford of Sea Girt and senior Diana Xiao of Manalapan.

“I was really nervous when I got elected because I really didn’t expect it, but it felt good after,” Xiao said.

The dance had a huge turnout with a total of 220 tickets sold. Ticket sales were especially high due to students being allowed to bring an outside guest. Freshman Grace Jameson of Middletown enjoyed being able to spend the night with a friend she doesn’t go to school with.

“I thought the dance was super fun,” Jameson said. “I’m really glad we had the chance to bring people from other schools.”

Although the SkillsUSA council experienced a few challenges while planning, Whedon believes the dance was a great success.

“The biggest challenge was definitely figuring out what was too ambitious. With a lot of big-ticket items like the front entrance banner and the chandelier, there was a huge fear that it wouldn’t work out and then we’d be left with nothing,” Whedon said. “I think it all worked out in the end, though. I’m so happy that we were able to give the entire school such a special night.”