Ben Kauffman – Make It Matter

Homecoming week at Cathedral is a special week on the Hill. From hallway decorations, to the assembly, the game, and the all important Spirit Stick, Cathedral homecoming is almost perfect. One part where homecoming misses the mark is the homecoming dance. 

Our dance is on a school night, informal, and feels unimportant compared to everything else. Almost every school around Cathedral hosts a formal homecoming dance that is almost as important as the football game. Other schools’ homecoming dances are almost as important as Prom and people look forward to it. For most of the Cathedral students, the homecoming dance is an afterthought. 

Junior Johnny Leaman who went to the homecoming dance freshman year said, “Homecoming is pretty much just for seniors and freshmen. The two middle grades have no interest or reason to want to go”. 

Some students at Cathedral have never been to homecoming like junior Andrew Dunlap who said, “I don’t get why we don’t do a homecoming like every other school, that would actually be fun.” 

Homecoming for other schools is a chance for every grade to go to school for a formal dance and be with each other for a night of fun. This night will often be a highlight of the school year for students since everyone gets to go, unlike prom which is typically just upperclassman. 

Plus for all the traditions Cathedral has for homecoming, like the Spirit Stick, it seems perfect for Cathedral to make a formal dance a tradition. A dance on the Hill during a nice fall night would be a great memory and many students agree. 

When asked about what would make homecoming better Johnny Leaman said, “Making it formal would make more people go.” It seems clear, make homecoming formal or forget it.

Mary Murphy – Informal and we like it

It’s that time of year again. The beloved Homecoming week is upon us.  A longstanding Cathedral tradition is our very informal Homecoming dance. First off, let’s address the elephant in the room: formal wear.

Contrary to other schools who get dressed up in dresses and suits, Cathedral students come from extracurricular activities to the Student Life Center in some shorts and a t- shirt. Who decided that we should all squeeze into tight dresses and scratchy tuxedos?  On the Hill, comfort is key. People dance better while being comfy. 

Not to mention, Cathedral students are busy people. No one has time to come to school on a Saturday all dressed up. With all things sports and activities, our homecoming dance is simply convenient. It is held after practices and or activities and there’s no need to dress up and do your makeup. No stress surrounds the homecoming dance. Thursday night is the perfect time to celebrate homecoming. 

We know that Cathedral is all about tradition. Mrs. Kim Jamell, Spanish Teacher and head of Student Council, talks about the Homecoming Dance and said, “The dance sets us apart from other schools because most schools don’t get to have the same kind of fun. It gives even all grades (especially freshman) the opportunity to have fun and not be afraid to be themselves.”

Like most things, there is an incentive. The grade with the most students that attended the dance, wins points towards the highly sought after SPIRIT STICK. The spirit stick might be the most prized possession within the school. Students do anything they can to get points. 

Let’s not forget about that dance floor! The dance is usually just a big mosh pit with a ton of freshmen and seniors although everyone should go. Occasionally, some teachers will jump in and make it interesting. The DJ takes song requests and it’s honestly just a big group of people having fun.

You don’t need to dress nice to bust out your best dance moves. Not to mention there is ALWAYS some freshman with their own special attempt at the worm. Our homecoming is honestly just a time to get together outside of school hours and have some fun without the pressure of dressing up and looking good.