The Winter Dance is better than Homecoming.
Yes, I know. It’s a hot take. But, before you leave this page faster than some seniors left Homecoming, hear me out.
We can all agree that the magic of school dances comes from laughing with your best friends, reconnecting with peers you haven’t talked to in years, and experiencing exhilarating energy in the Main Gym.
These are all vital elements to the Winter Dance, even more so than Homecoming. While Homecoming has the makings of a good dance, in my opinion, all the traditions and pressure take away from the experience. On the other hand, the Winter Dance remains underappreciated and overlooked.
Here are my top reasons why the Winter Dance is better than Homecoming:
Roller skating
The makeshift roller skating rink is one of the defining features of VHHS´ Winter Dance.
Easily one of the best additions, the rink caters to diverse personalities— not just the party-loving extroverts.
Roller skating is a relaxed way to spend time with your friends while trying something new (or maybe even showing off your hidden talents).
If roller skating isn’t your thing, in all honesty, you don’t even have to put on your skates to appreciate the rink. Just pop a seat on the bleachers and people-watch until you see someone start a 10-person train or hilariously fall onto their bottom in the process.
Being able to spend your Winter Dance on skates is truly a unique and special experience. Not many students from other schools can say that they’ve done the same. And yes, that does include Stevenson, but we all knew Vernon Hills was the better school anyway.
Minimized mosh pit culture
In my opinion, VHHS mosh pits are overrated, and I genuinely appreciate that the Winter Dance is less geared toward them.
Over the last couple years, the senior classes haven’t put the effort into keeping them going, and the mosh pits die out very quickly.
Let’s be honest, two minutes of a half-decent mosh pit doesn’t nearly make up for the elbows to the stomach, the dress shoes crushing your feet, or the overwhelming stench of sweat.
This isn’t to say all VHHS mosh pits aren’t worth it; some have been incredibly fun.
Homecoming 2021 easily had the best mosh pit and spirit that I’ve ever experienced at Vernon Hills. It saddens me that only the senior class recalls that Homecoming, because it was truly an incredible experience.
Homecoming 2021 was outdoors with an energetic, interactive DJ and a full crowd of excited moshers (who did, in fact, stay for the majority of the time). People were dancing, smiling and interacting with new friends. Most notably, you could feel the radiating energy, even if you weren’t actively part of the mosh.
It was an experience like no other and shows that Vernon Hills has the potential for a better Homecoming. But until students reclaim that 2021 energy, for me, I’d argue that Homecoming mosh pits aren’t worth the drawbacks.
Less Pressure
One of my favorite parts about the culture surrounding the Winter Dance is that it’s much more relaxed.
What do I mean by that? Well, there’s less pressure about what type of clothing to wear, less pressure about where you take pictures, and less pressure about where you choose to eat dinner.
For me, that means having more fun with my dress choices by either wearing more vibrant colors or trying on a unique style.
This was especially evident during my junior year, when all my friends accidentally wore different, vibrant colors, and we looked like we came straight out of a rainbow. To this day, those pictures are some of my favorites.
Along the lines of pictures, I appreciate that the Winter Dance ones don’t all happen at Independence Grove.
In my opinion, having small picture groups in someone’s home is always more fun and brings the best memories. One of my favorite high school memories was before my sophomore year Winter Dance. While taking pictures at my house, my friends and I decided to have a ping pong contest— in heels.
Pictures aside, I love that restaurant availability is better at the Winter Dance. Since fewer people attend, getting reservations is a much simpler process. This is nice for us late planners who are left with odd-timed Maggiano’s reservations… every single time.
This year
I truly believe that this Winter Dance may be one of the best, so if there is any year to decide to attend, it’s this one.
As you may already know, Candyland was voted to be the Winter Dance theme for this year.
Dani Gomez (12), student council executive board member, shared that there are some exciting additions to this year’s Winter Dance.
Between spirit week class competitions, candy distribution, and Candyland-themed decorations, school spirit will be evident.
According to Gomez, after receiving feedback about Homecoming, student council met with the DJ ahead of time to ensure that the music is on point throughout the night. The music will also be playing in the cafeteria so you won’t miss out on your favorite song.
The Winter Dance will also be more special for seniors this year, as there will be a Senior Tribute video in the middle of the dance. I’m especially excited to see this video since COVID-19 snubbed us seniors out of our 8th grade #VHGive video.
With all of the planning and vision surrounding this year’s Winter Dance, I believe that this will be one of the best school dances of the year.
The Winter Dance has always been better than Homecoming, but after this year, that may not be the most unpopular of opinions.