In a typical coming-of-age movie, school dances are magical. Perfect lighting, decorations, a live band, couples and friends dancing, speeches from the homecoming/prom royalty. In reality, the music is decent, the dancing is more of a sweaty glob bouncing in unison, and most stay for an hour trying to have fun without looking awkward.
Coming into high school, the dances like homecoming and winter formal are a big deal. Freshman year, you prepare for weeks, getting the perfect outfit and plan in place. Sophomore year, you go because everyone else is. Junior year, you go just to get away from your busy schedule, and Senior year, to finish what you started.
It is fun getting dressed up and having dinner with friends, but while a lot of parts are genuinely enjoyable, there are significant mood killers: a DJ that plays the same overplayed songs every year, someone jumping on your toes, getting trapped in the mosh pit, and leaving the dance covered in other people’s sweat more than your own.
The environment is key in setting the tone for the dance. The perfect venue, decorations, lighting, and temperature. Prom last year was held at Montgomery Park. Overall, the event was executed very well. They even had free pizza and cotton candy up for grabs. However, some small tweaks could have been made to change the atmosphere of the event.
Many people at the prom had complaints about the DJ, who played songs teens today don’t often listen to, such as the cupid shuffle. This, along with the brightly lit dance floor, led to most students not wanting to dance. A prom that had a lot of potential, in ways felt like a let down, and students wanting a more up-beat environment.
Music is the thing that makes or breaks the dance, not necessarily the decorations or the venue. A bad DJ leads to students either standing around awkwardly or sometimes even chanting to skip the song. Students want to dance and jump around to the artists and songs they listen to today, and not just throwbacks.
Over the years, students often question whether it’s worth going anymore. Junior, Sydney Feuler, attended this past homecoming and commented on how hot it was, and that the DJ was not good. Many students each year express that the music choices are bad. “It needs to be old, early 2000s club music,” suggests Sydney.
Students should have more input on the playlist. A Google form for song requests could be sent out and reviewed by leadership to ensure they stay appropriate. Additionally, in past years, there was a DJ who set out a paper for song requests. Many students get frustrated at unpopular or unfamiliar songs being played.
The magic of school dances is often distorted. In senior and even junior year, the excitement starts to fade, and you question if it’s worth the time and money. Sydney thought back to freshman homecoming and felt that “it was exciting because it was new.” So why do people continue to go?
“The fun part is the before and after,” says Lilian Tatsumi. The dances become a reason for everyone to hang out, and for the girls to get dressed up together. Winter formal is another (much less popular) chance for this. “No one goes,” says Lilian. She even suggests trying something new, such as Sadies Hawkins dance, to keep things fresh and interesting.
The school dances don’t always live up to the movie magic, but homecoming and prom still hold an important place in High School tradition. The student body should be given an opportunity to have more input on the specifics of the dance. It’s time to bring back the thrill behind the school dances.