At an age when teenagers crave entertainment and excitement—school dances often fall short of expectations. These events have so much potential but often miss the mark. It’s time that the dances become more interactive and memorable by incorporating themes, games, or live music.
At the winter carnival dance, I witnessed many students leaving early, standing around, and very unimpressed with what the night had to offer. Reimagining school dances can increase their popularity and ensure that students genuinely enjoy themselves.
One easy fix to making the event more hands-on is allowing students to choose music for the playlist, or even taking turns being the DJ. At the winter carnival dance, I recognized many of the same songs that were played at Homecoming. It was frustrating not being able to request or make any changes to the playlist. I was disappointed with the songs selected to dance to. When students have a say in music selections it gets individuals more excited especially if it’s their own music taste. Having the opportunity for someone to come up and be the DJ can be more memorable, and engaging in a new way. It encourages interaction with other students they may not know creating a more communal atmosphere.
When I was standing around near the dance floor I wished there was a photo booth. I wanted a break from the dance floor, a break from standing around. Taking printout photos all dressed up with friends and my date would give me a keepsake of the memories from my night. Teens love posting on social media and a photo booth makes for a good post. There is a different kind of fun and excitement a photo booth draws.
Many students like to sneak out and leave early at the dance. They get tired of dancing and look forward to attending after-parties filled with food, drinks, and games. Offering a variety of beverages and snacks invites people to stay and last at the dance longer. When I walked over to grab a cup of water at the drinking fountain, I wished for a small bite to eat to keep the night going. The conversation is always about where the food is, especially during a 2-hour-long event.
Making school events fun for all ages can be very costly. Fundraising is a simple solution to this concern. Clubs like the student council can create bake sales during the week of the dance for students to purchase after school. They can create pay-to-play games during lunchtime games in order to win prizes. If people wanted to go in the photo booth they could pay someone standing outside depending on how many photos they wanted to take. With these simple fixes and easy access to fundraising, dances like homecoming and winter carnival can be attended by more of the student body and enjoyed throughout the whole night.
