Homecoming Celebrates School Spirit, Not Second Prom

On Saturday, Sept. 9, hundreds of students walked into the gym with class out of their minds completely. For one night, students celebrated the beginning of the year, getting dressed up, going out to eat, and dancing the night away to songs provided by the school by a DJ. Many students raved about it days after the event, calling it a night to remember in the constantly overflowing book of high school memories. However, more than a few students felt as if the night was lacking. Whether it was the choice in music, the expenses of getting ready, or the fact that homecoming was not that magical night they have been dreaming of.

Recently, homecoming has been surging in popularity, and is starting to have few comparisons to prom. According to differencebetween.com, “Homecoming and prom are two of the most important events in the school life of a teenager.” The article also states that the dances are so similar that it has become common for people to be confused between homecoming and prom. But in reality, homecoming is much less formal, less expensive, and allows for a more casual dress code. However, when ordering a homecoming dress online from David’s Bridal, prices for dress can shoot up to $200.  Shop at newyorkdresses.com, and dresses can reach nearly $800, without a sub-$100 dress in sight.

It’s not just the formality of the dress or the other events of homecoming that gives the dance an unnecessary hype. Homecoming is technically not meant to be all about the dance, but—in addition to the football game—it is also a, “week-long event organized by high schools… to welcome back old alumni that were part of the [high school] years ago,” according to promise.com. “In high school, the homecoming game celebrates the careers of the senior high school athletes, normally the football players.” While the dance is something that is definitely encouraged and participate in, there are other things about homecoming that should receive more attention.

The Homecoming dance is a special celebration that all students should have the choice to go to. Students have the right to spend hours getting ready, ask out that guy or girl who had been on their minds for a while, and take the time to make their night extra special. However, there are so many more activities and events about homecoming that seem to be swallowed by the hype of the three-to-four hour dance. Homecoming should be about school spirit and the celebration of the alumni and seniors, not completely focused on the dance.