This year’s winter homecoming was characterized by a few out-of-the-ordinary modifications. The theme, “A Night in Lights,” was embodied in the sparkling decorations and outfits. There was not much about these aspects that was different from past dances. However, a major change was the way in which people invited their dates. 

The idea was “girls ask guys,” also known as “Sadie Hawkins style.” This was the first dance that most can remember being this way, and there were mixed feelings about it. While some loved the idea and went all out to make posters and ask their dates to go, some did not really feel that it made a difference.

“I personally would never ask a guy, but I don’t think that there’s anything wrong with it,” Amaliya Barker, 11, said. 

Barker appreciated the change because it encouraged more people to ask dates and switched it up a bit. However, Barker pointed out that some girls ask guys to go anyway in past dances where the idea has not been Sadie Hawkins, so it is not switching it up much.

Sadie-Hawkins-style was not the only change made to the dance; the music and DJ were also notably different. Where in the past the DJ played the usual dance classics (with a few requests in between), this dance’s DJ had a different setlist.

Barker noted that the music favored more modern songs and less of the classics everyone knows and can sing along to which they did not love. 

The DJ also gave a mic to some students which is not something that has been done in the past. Lily Vermillion, 12, did not love this change.

“[I did not like] the running around with the mic and also just letting people scream into the mic,” said Vermillion. 

A final change in the night was the addition of a drink service. Students could purchase a variety of drinks from a setup in the upper gym, and many took advantage of this offer.

Altogether, the changes to this year’s dance made for an interesting night. Whether students liked the shift or not, they will remember this Night in Lights for years to come.