Despite having the popular vote of the community for the mid-year dance, the Sadie’s dance constantly has the lowest turnout rate of the various dances due to preconceptions of the general public and its position at one of the most hectic times of the year.
While the dance sets itself apart from others in that it emphasizes that girls should ask boys, some believe that this hinders the turnout of the dance.
“I think a lot of people are kind of nervous about that,” freshman Katie Rines said.
Some also noted that the dance simply doesn’t carry the same weight as other dances like Prom and Homecoming.
“I think the difference between this and Homecoming and Prom is that they’re dances that start off the year and end the year and they always have new, really cool experiences,” Rines said. “You get really excited for it and Sadie’s is just on its own.”
Apart from its position in the middle of the year and its reversed gender dynamic, Sadie’s also differs from other dances in terms of the location and guidelines.
“This year we’re having it in the cafeteria and senior courtyard, whereas homecoming is usually in the gym so the venue is different,” junior and SGA representative Allison Park said. “People can’t bring dates from other schools so that’s kind of a big difference.”
The added restrictions on bringing outside dates has been attributed to the amount of work all parties need to put in.
“It kind of has to do with the administration’s rules,” Park said. “I think it has to do with the fact that Sadie’s is considered a smaller dance and there’s so much paperwork involved because both principals from both schools have to sign and it’s kind of a big responsibility for the administration, especially Mr. Litz.”
In addition to the eligibility restrictions, planning members of the SGA theorize that the academic situations of the attendees at the time of the dance also affects the turnout, as well as potential preconceptions they may have about the dance itself.
“I think it’s because it’s not a traditional dance where guys ask girls and it’s kind of at an inconvenient time of the year,” Park said. “It’s really hectic during the late winter and early spring.”
To combat this, SGA has promoted Sadie’s as an opportunity for those stressed by academics to have a bit of time to relax.
“I think people should consider it as kind of as a reprieve from the school year and the hard work that’s really hectic during the early springtime that I think applies to everyone,” Park said. “I think that’s how people should always think of it, as a social event to kind of get away from the work and the pressure from school.”
Additionally, they stressed that Sadie’s is planned in very much the same way as other dances, with an equal amount of effort.
“It has a bit more of a laid back vibe,” senior and SGA representative Tatiana Brown said. “Sadie’s is planned in the same manner as homecoming: choose a date, decide upon spirit days and learn games, advertise, hire a DJ, and set up.”
The dance was also pushed back to April due to a desire for better weather conditions
“One of the most exciting perks of the dance being held in April instead of the typical early March is the fact that the weather will be warm,” Brown said. “This permits us to use the senior courtyard in addition to the cafeteria. A quaint setting will be outside while the more traditional club-like atmosphere will be in the cafeteria.”
Some have criticized Sadie’s for a general lack of information on various aspects of the dance, such as the date.
“I’ve been hearing from other people that it’s going to happen on certain dates but I haven’t heard anything from the school or any announcements online,” junior Alex Stenseth said.
As a result, the SGA has implemented an increased focus on advertising and accommodation [implemented] in the hopes of attracting more attendees that may lack vital information or wouldn’t normally be able to go. After going back and forth, the final date of the dance was announced as Apr. 9.
“Now that SGA has decided on the date of the dance, we will continue last year’s use of social media to get info out about the dance and the accompanying spirit week in addition to in-school announcements and Blackboard notifications,” senior and SGA representative Taylor Lane said.
Furthermore, a full spirit week including a faculty versus senior basketball game, a Powderpuff volleyball game, learn-time activities and musical performances has been implemented in hopes of elevating the dance to the same status as Homecoming or Prom.
“This year, the SGA is really trying to create an atmosphere filled with the same enthusiasm that accompanies Homecoming,” Brown said. “This includes a full-fledged spirit week and activities throughout the day.”
In the end, the SGA hopes that the dance will provide a good experience for a large portion of the community.
“Sadie’s is always fun and SGA always works really hard to try and get the largest turnout,” Park said.