Semi-formal Homecoming, a seemingly traditional beginning-of-the-year affair across the nation, is only now taking place in Berlin, and it’s about time. In years past, the Homecoming dance would be after the football game and would be informal. At the end of the 2024-25 school year, Key Club decided to put the idea of a semi-formal Homecoming against the traditional informal dance to a vote. Approximately 64% of the students and staff who responded to the form selected that they’d rather have a more formal event, so the decision was made.
By having a more proper Homecoming, students can extend the joys and fun of Homecoming week into the weekend, instead of rushing back to school after the football game ends. This way, students can spend more time getting ready and enjoying the day before, like most would for Winterfest. Another advantage of the new dance is that underclassmen have another option for formal events, seeing as most underclassmen only attend Winterfest and not Prom. This change could make underclassmen participate more in school functions, as dances are typically some of the most attended events during the school year.
With the dress code being semi-formal, students are expected to appear in dressier attire, with jeans being one of the few items prohibited. Some students opt to rewear past clothing, while others use this as an opportunity to purchase another outfit. By having another semi-formal, what was once a one-time dress or formal attire can save students from needing to secure another.
Throughout Homecoming week, there are many fun events hosted, including dress-up days, school-wide activities, and sporting events. These events would usually last the week, with the home football game ending everything off. Now with the addition of the semi-formal dance, festivities do not end until later in the weekend. The change will be innovative and will begin a tradition to look forward to for many years to come.
The semi-formal Homecoming dance will be held on Saturday, Oct. 11, at 7 p.m. in the high school commons.