Crisp October air, spirited dancing and potential romance should be the representation of Homecoming. School dances are a historic tradition, evolving from formal ballroom waltzes to the rave-like jumping, mosh pits and frat flicks that students indulge in today.
Yet as we get older, fewer students look forward to and attend the annual Homecoming dance. Why do freshmen have the most enthusiasm, attendance and participation while seniors are missing the action or bailing 30 minutes in? The greatest misconception older students have is that they have no control over how fun homecoming is.
In some ways, this phenomenon makes sense. It’s no secret to the incoming eighth graders that Paly’s spirit week is filled with fun, and this keeps freshmen excited for the first dance of the year.
On top of this, middle school dances are more frequent, populous and socially fulfilling. In middle school, the opportunity to gather socially with the entire grade was enticing. Middle schoolers seem to enjoy actually dancing at their dances more than high schoolers at homecoming.
Sure, middle schools are smaller and more close knit, making it less embarrassing or scary to dance with the other kids on the dance floor. And in middle school, the ability to stick to one’s own friend group while also floating around with acquaintances is made easier by the smaller school size.
Some upperclassmen may feel there are better ways to achieve the same social fulfillment. Partying culture becomes more apparent as grades increase, and as students explore and are drawn towards substances, an afterparty might sound like more fun than the main homecoming dance.
In sophomore year, people still like to go to dances, but start to leave earlier for these after parties. Juniors and seniors also attend the dance but leave quickly ––some don’t show up at all. Others may attend after parties. At that point, I don’t understand why people don’t just go to the dance. Afterparities are made more fun by the main event, so there’s no reason not to attend the dance.
Homecoming asking culture has also been on a decline. Traditionally, the fun of school dances has been the experience of asking or getting asked to go, dressing up, having fun with friends and most of all, dancing.
The bottom line is, if people don’t go to the homecoming dance, it won’t be fun.
No, Homecoming isn’t perfect. The ambiance and music could be improved. For instance, having it outdoors on the plaza allows people to group together and not dance which can prevent community. Last year, the line to get into the dance was especially infuriating and poorly organized.
However, Homecoming deserves to be a strong Paly tradition. Why have an exuberant spirit week followed by (or in this year’s case, preceded by) a sad homecoming dance?
I would like to remind students that Homecoming is what we make it. We only have one all-school dance the entire year, and people should be excited at the opportunity to dress up for one night.
Additionally, other schools have winter or semi-formals, yet Paly only has two dances. Homecoming is one of the only chances for students –– especially underclassmen –– to dress up and have a dance.
Although juniors and seniors may have prom, the occasion, attire and ambiance is different. Prom is also eight months from when school starts, so we should take advantage of the opportunity to connect with our peers and celebrate our community at Homecoming.
Our culture has made pre- and post- events more enticing than the real thing. Getting ready for pictures and partying after may be fun, but the spirit of tradition, school pride and potential romance can be made into a wholesome teenage experience if we choose to appreciate it.
Students have to take Homecoming back. No matter how much planning ASB, teachers and admin put into it, students show the power to show up with enthusiasm and make the dance fun.
