The Death of the High School Dance

Unlike our current iteration, homecoming originated at colleges and universities. Like the high school variety, they celebrated the return of alumni and revolved around a football game, particularly when the matchup was highly competitive. The University of Illinois claims to be the creator of the first homecoming event in 1910, which became an extremely popular annual tradition; only pandemics (first the Spanish Flu, then COVID-19) could prevent it from taking place. Not to be outdone, the University of Missouri makes a similar claim, citing Athletic Director Chester Brewer’s attempt to drum up enthusiasm for a game against rival Kansas Jayhawks by inviting past alumni back to fill up bleacher seats. It is the ultimate culmination of American sports culture, combining social gatherings with the passionate tribalism of football. Clearly, the homecoming event is tied to the game itself—but where does the dance come in?

The informal homecoming dance has always taken a backseat to the football. It has almost no historical background, and seems to exist merely as a social filler during homecoming week—the game is king, and that’s what draws the crowds. This is clearly true at Littleton High School, as the annual game boasts a large attendance and is the chosen site to crown the homecoming court. Perhaps the disinterest is due to personal preference (students may derive more enjoyment from sport than from dancing), venue (after all, the cafeteria we eat our lunch in is not the most aesthetic dancefloor), or both. Homecoming spirit in Littleton is present in other ways, such as spirit week and pep rallies (albeit pre-pandemic ones). In 2020, the dance’s cancellation was expected and accepted. In 2021, it was revived under the condition it take place outdoors, a concept which sounded nice on paper but was a dangerous gamble to make with New England October weather. The night, thankfully, was mild, and everyone was happily bouncing around in the drop-off circle outside the front doors. It was not luxurious, but the relief at finally being able to gather together was palpable. 

In 2022, at long last, homecoming returned to the cafeteria! Disappointingly, attendance was still not as high as it used to be, and chaperones willing to battle teenage theatrics were difficult to secure. The lack of interest in the dance did not particularly align with the football game, which succeeded in filling the bleachers. Those who planned both homecomings—teachers and students—should be praised for their efforts to revive student culture as we emerge from the pandemic. Perhaps over time, the interest in dances will reignite—but the recent semiformal suggests otherwise. 

In 2023, the winter semiformal quietly returned. The favoured Devens venue was no more; it had not been secured far enough in advance, so the Franco-American Club in Westford would have to do. Upon hearing the cost of tickets ($40!), already minimal interest dropped further. Perhaps it was the venue, perhaps it was the price—either way, people weren’t buying it. The diligent efforts of those who organise the dance resulted in a $20 ticket, which guaranteed entrance to the high school gymnasium and a catered meal. Students already pinching pennies for prom tickets and attire must have been relieved. Semiformal is only a few months removed from homecoming, and for some there is undoubtedly pressure to produce a new outfit for each dance. Given the increase in cost of just about everything (in some places, one McDonald’s hashbrown has skyrocketed to $3), it is no surprise that students want to save their hard-earned cash when they can. In recent years, student money that was previously funnelled into dances is now going towards new and potentially more exciting school activities, such as trips to England, Spain, and Italy. 

125 tickets were sold for the semiformal dance—approximately a quarter of the school. Although well-organised, a quick glance over the gymnasium dancefloor showed a markedly smaller crowd than was present at semiformals of years ago. With its location at the high school, DJs Joe Dunn and Gordon Gumuchian, and photo-opportunity backdrop against the awards cabinet, it bore remarkable similarities to homecoming. Everyone seemed to be suffering from déjà vu. With three dances a year on the social calendar—each one potentially requiring a different outfit, transportation, and entry fee—are we all danced out? Are upperclassmen beginning to prefer a singular focus on prom, the magnum opus of school dances? Do students enjoy alternative events more, such as the homecoming football game? Many left the semiformal well before its scheduled 10 PM end time, presumably to hang out with their friends or party elsewhere. The pandemic gave us all an opportunity to re-evaluate our lives, how we spend our time, and what we value when socialising. Perhaps high school dances are a thing of the past, perhaps they will stage a dramatic return—only time will tell.

Sources

“Homecoming.” Wikipedia, Wikimedia Foundation, 4 Jan. 2023, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Homecoming.