Diamonds Are Forever El Modena
Homecoming 2026
Shine Bright L ike A Diamond at Homecoming Games, Food, Dancing and Diamonds Take Over the Quad for Our 2026 El Modena’s Homecoming GABRIELA LOMELI
GOT NEWS
Homecoming is right around the corner, and El Modena students are getting ready to celebrate an unforgettable night full of music, games and school spirit. This year's dance will take place on Saturday, October 17th, from 7 to 10 P.M. in the El Modena High School Quad. The theme for this year’s homecoming is Diamonds Are Forever, inspired by the classic James Bond film. The theme invites students to dress up and enjoy an elegant night filled with
sparkles, friends, and excitement. The quad at El Modena will become the shine of a diamond dance, where everyone can enjoy the spirit of the night and create cherished memories. Students should remember to check the detention list before purchasing a ticket because they must have zero hours in order to attend. Tickets will be available for $65 with ASB and $70 without from September 23rd to October 2nd. After October 2nd the prices will increase to $75 with ASB and $80 without, so buy your ticket as soon as possible to save
money. Whether you are a freshman about to experience your first high school dance, or a senior looking to celebrate your last ever homecoming dance at El Modena with friends, the dance gives you a chance to enjoy the school community, with music, food, games, and a shiny theme. Diamonds Are Forever is set to make this homecoming one to remember. Buy your tickets, make your plans, go shopping for the best fits, and then decide on dinner and photos. See you there Vanguards!
Aitken Arts Plaza on Chapman University
Pitcher Park
Historic Orange Train Depot
Skip The Fountain: Better Photo Spots Around Orange Picture Perfect: The Coolest HOCO Photo Locations Off The Beaten Path ANGELICA FALLAHI ARDEKANI
GOT NEWS
If you try to take all your photos by the fountain that is located in the middle of the circle, prepare yourself to have fifty other high schoolers in the background of every single picture. Skipping this popular location can help the whole photo process be faster and way less awkward. Here are some other amazing locations around our city of Orange that will get your photos right.
The first good location is the Historic Orange Train Depot near the transportation center. The long brick platforms, train tracks, and old architecture will give your photos the warm retro lighting during golden hour. If you want something super peaceful, go to Pitcher Park on Almond Avenue. It’s a hidden garden with citrus trees, and stone pathways. The small wooden bridge and stone paths make it super easy for big groups to fit in the frame naturally.
Lastly, you can check out the Aitken Arts Plaza on Chapman \\\ University’s campus. Instead of basic grass pictures, the huge glass walls and long pillars will give the pictures more of a modern and sleek look, especially when the sunset reflects off the big windows. So, you’ve got choices! Check out the Historic Orange Train Depot, Pitcher Park, or Aiden Arts Plaza at Chapman University for your amazing photos.
Skip the Plaza Crowds: The Best Pre-HOCO Dinner Spots In Orange ANGELICA FALLAHI ARDEKANI
GOT NEWS
Trying to fit a lot of people into a small restaurant on homecoming night is pretty much impossible. Waiting hours on end for a table when you're in your tight dress and uncomfortable heels is frustrating enough if you want really good food, good lighting for pictures.
Rutabegorz
Outside of the main circle is definitely the way to go. Here are three perfect places in Orange to check out instead! First up is Rutabegorz, a popular spot just by the circle set in an old historic house. It’s got a cozy back patio full of plants, big portion sizes, and a huge menu so even the pickiest eater in your group will find something.
Provisions Deli & Bottle Shop
Second is Provisions Deli & Bottle Shop. It’s a super casual industrial space with long tables that can easily fit big groups. Ordering flatbreads and giant pretzel boards to share across the table makes dinner fast, fun, and easy. Finally, Orange Hill Restaurant is beautiful, romantic even, and has some of the best views in Orange!
Orange Hill Restaurant
How to Sparkle at Homecoming From fur accents to sequined dresses, stand out at Hoco with these outfits EMMA PALACIOS STAFF WRITER
If Diamonds are Forever, then your homecoming outfit should be too. Channel the bold, glamorous spirit of the 1970s with showstopping looks. Here I will talk about a guide on how to look your best at home homecoming while following the theme. During the Diamonds are Forever era, women’s fashion was bold and glamorous. Embracing textures, prints, and statement pieces. A short, sequin dress will capture the theme perfectly. Following the main colors to wear, which were gold, yellow, white, and cream. Men usually wore cream or light suits. They were iconic for wearing lightweight fabrics, like linen or silk. For less formal occasions, like homecoming, a white or cream button down with tan pants and a beige blazer over a white shirt would fit perfectly. Ultimately, 1970s fashion was a bold way of self expression through glamorous silhouettes and vibrant textures.
Big Hair, Bold Volume Turn back the clock with voluminous, timeless hairstyles from the 1971 film EMMA PALACIOS STAFF WRITER
T he 1970s were all about bold, voluminous hair. Diamonds Are Forever captured that glamour perfectly. Whether you have a shag cut or long hair, these iconic looks are timeless. Here’s how to bring them to life. Women’s hair embraced big, bouncy blowouts with lots of volume. Feminine hairstyles like half-up-half-downs and soft updos were key. Women often liked to accessorize their hair. Popular hair accessories were clips, combs, pearls, and barrettes for a touch of elegance. For men, long layered cuts, or voluminous side parts were the ultimate style. A neat polished hairstyle was essential. Light texturing spray or sea salt spray helped achieve the effortless look. This ensures that every look remains sharp, intentional ,and perfectly on theme for the era. The 1970s taught us that hair is more than just a look, It’s a statement. Embrace the volume, play with texture, and let your style speak volumes.
Diamond Homecoming Fun! Some Reminders for the BEST Homecoming Dance!
JEILENNA MANCILLA SPORTS MEDIA
Vanguards! Are you excited for homecoming this year because I know I am! If you aren’t caught up on the information that has been posted and you found on the front of this issue, here is what you need to know. This year’s homecoming theme is..DIAMONDS ARE FOREVER! This is a very elegant, James Bond type of dance, which
will be held October 17th, from 710 p.m.. The date is very close, so start preparing now! Get your tickets with Mrs. Cosman in the front office between September 23rd - October 2nd, for the price of $65 each with ASB, and $70 without ASB. Between October 5th - October 15th tickets will be on sale for $75 dollars each with ASB, and $80 without ASB! Remember Vanguards, to
purchase a ticket you must have ZERO DETENTIONS! If you still need to currently clear detention hours, you are able to do so in room 909 during LUNCH, or attend Saturday school. No tickets will be sold at the door for this epic homecoming experience, so plan ahead, and if you have any questions, ask any ASB member on campus. See you there Vanguards!
Teachers Had A L ife? Interviewing Alumni Teachers About Their Hoco Experience SOPHIA/BYANCA
ASB!
EDITOR/WORLD NEWS
El Modena teachers do so much for their students that we forget that they too attended high school. We interviewed alumni teachers who attended El Modena to see what their homecoming experience was was before they became a teacher. When did you attend El Modena? Ms Clark: 1999-2003.
Ms. Spanner: 1989-1993 Mr Mitchell:1999-2003 Dr. Chapman: 1988-1992
What is your favorite memory about attending homecoming (the game and/or dance)? Ms Clark: My senior year, my friends all decided to dress up like Disney Princesses for the Homecoming Dance. I was Tinkerbell! It was fun to just be goofy and dance with my friends. Ms. Spanner: My favorite memory about attending a homecoming game was cheering on command when the cheerleaders did because I did not understand the game (I still don't). As for the homecoming dance, it was all about getting as many friends as possible to go, the outfit, dinner, and dancing. Mr Mitchell: Winning the Homecoming game and then having a great time with friends at the dance Any pre-dance advice? Ms Clark: My pre-dancing advice would be just have fun. Homecoming is the most informal dance of the year and it's all about being home with your people! Have fun, be yourself, and enjoy!
Ms. Spanner: Any pre-dance advice? Encourage your friends to attend at least one dance. I know it can be expensive, but high school dances are memories worth having. Also, buy a black dress or suit you can wear multiple times with different accessories, and learn from my mistake: never wear high heels. Mr Mitchell: Make sure you have a solid plan for the night, stick to the plan, and make good decisions: "No means no." What would you say is the biggest difference from your homecoming experience and how El Modena does its homecoming? Ms. Spanner: Besides the cost of the dance, I would say our homecoming dance includes more Spanish music that students enjoy dancing to a “quiet” zone where students listen to different music with a headset and games. Ms Clark: The biggest difference I would say is that our homecoming was a very informal event. You did not have to go buy a fancy dress or outfit. You could wear whatever you wanted. Mr. Mitchell: We used to take couples and group pictures at the dance. Then you would get a book full of everyone's pictures. Plus you would get a framed copy with your date wallet size copies of your group. It was crazy.
Mrx. Spanner at her homecoming dance