After an eventful and exciting first week of school, the student body gathered together Friday, August 21 for the annual Coronado Back to School Bash to celebrate the kick-off of the school year. At six o’clock, a diverse group of students gathered at the school to visit friends and see what has been happening in the community. Three food trucks were parked in the main loop in front of the school: The Cupcake Truck, which sold original cupcakes, Kona Ice, a vendor that has been at the Bash in the past and Potato, Potato, which sold various potato confections. Student Council, the robotics team, and Mock Trial members stood at the North staircase, waiting to welcome guests on to the campus for the evening.

“The Back to School Bash is a great way to meet new people and see what all Coronado has to offer, from sports to robotics. It is truly a great event to go to,” said Samuel Moore, 11.

There was a massive selection of activities to partake in; some recruiters from the military showed volunteers different team-building exercises, the robotics team had their impressive machines out to see and Mock Trial sat at their candy-covered table, with information regarding their program. Throngs of students, parents and kids walked through the commons to observe the events of the evening.

“The music was so good, and when everybody was dancing, it felt like a proper bash,” said Carver Engstrom, 11.

To start off the dance party later in the night, Patrick Tabrum, 12, danced solo to “Billie Jean,” followed by the robotics team dancing along to what is referred to as “The Mormon Dance.” DJ Zachary Gerber, 12, played some crowd favorites, such as “Low” and “Bohemian Rhapsody,” which student body president Daniel Wandeler, 12, lip synched with expertise. Such classics as the “Electric Slide,” and the “Cupid Shuffle,” let the dancers prove the middle school gym-class dance units did, in fact, pay off.

“It was a very positive atmosphere, especially around the DJ table. It felt like student cabinet was really reaching out,” said Holly McKibben, 11.

The Back to School Bash was a phenomenal event and a perfect way to spend the evening. It was a night that made everyone proud to be a Coronado Cougar.