Society needs to be more accepting of change. In a world where media is tainted with bias, and social media algorithms imprison us in echo chambers, people find security in their own opinions.
For years, the annual homecoming dances took place in the Melbourne Auditorium in September. This school tradition was broken when the venue was changed to the gymnasium and the date was moved to November. The events centered around it have moved as well, with the powder-puff flag football game, that traditionally took place before homecoming, being moved from September to October. Along with this, the spirit week that usually followed up to homecoming was split into two: one before powder-puff and one before homecoming.
Students were quick to state their opinion about the new changes. They argued that homecoming lost its charm, as it is no longer one of the first homecomings in the area and the venue is now a facility students go to every day. Students also loathed new aspects of the venue such as less space, inability to wear high heels on the gym floor and limited access to restrooms. But when it comes to recognizing the benefits of homecoming, students were radio-silent.
People must put aside their prejudices and truly weigh the benefits and drawbacks of changes before supporting or opposing them. Hosting homecoming in the gym saved thousands of dollars that can be used to improve or create new experiences for students. Renting out the Melbourne Auditorium for the night costs around $2,000. This eats up a huge portion of student fundraiser money that is better spent elsewhere.
Every year students complain about the dance having a mediocre DJ and high ticket prices, but when there is a change that would fix this, it is met with backlash and disregard. People have failed to realize their own hypocrisy. Furthermore, separating powder-puff and homecoming allows students to enjoy two spirit weeks for both events instead of one. This consolidates school spirit for an official homecoming game the night before the event. In the past, students would be recognized for the homecoming court at powder-puff, usually sweaty in powder-puff jerseys. Now, they can be recognized in a homecoming soccer game in proper attire.
People naturally have an affinity towards stability. After all, who would want to risk something new if things are working now? Years of having homecoming in the Melbourne Auditorium have led students to romanticize tradition and ignore their shortcomings. The Melbourne Auditorium was an underwhelming venue to begin with. For one of the smallest high schools in the area, why did West Shore need such a spacious building? The only thing extra space achieves is making the dance feel empty, less lively, and, simply put, dead. These factors all detract from the overall atmosphere of the dance. On the other hand, the gym is smaller and much more fitting for the amount of people attending. Because of this, the gym fosters more interaction between students by allowing for students to be in a closer proximity.
Society cannot look at its existing circumstances with rose-tinted glasses. If people become too comfortable and cling onto the security of tradition, their situations will never improve. Homecoming and powder-puff are now inherently different from what they once were, but these changes provide myriad benefits that outweigh students’ perceived drawbacks. It is time to break away from tradition and trailblaze a new path for school events.
