The Halloween Dance That Could’ve Been
BOSTON, MASS - One could say that the Newman Halloween Dance was slightly underwhelming. In the midst of lights, music, and decorations there stood an empty dance floor marked only with the movement of a couple of brave souls.
I do not know whether to attribute this low attendance to social anxieties or a deeper lack of enthusiasm regarding community events. It would be easy to write an article more or less bashing the student body, for their unwillingness to participate in events and for being, in crude terms, “pretty lame”.
However, the right thing to do in this situation is to analyze the contributing factors and find ways of growth that will create a stronger school community.
It is understandable that at this age there are academic pressures and personal challenges that can make a halloween dance seem miniscule. Nonetheless, a dance like this one can create a strong bond within the community, generating encouragement for students to succeed.
One day, you’ll look back and think “Man, that halloween dance really was the epitome of our youth” and, if not, the worst case scenario is that you’ll have a bad time.
If you're worried about not knowing anyone, organize a group of friends and hang out together. Or get ready to meet some new people by talking and dancing, in a fun atmosphere of costumes. It's important for such events to take place, as they create a positive sense of belonging in the school community and experience.
In the future, the school can work on its promotion of the dance to spark interest, using social media, posters, and engaging announcements to generate excitement. Throughout the year, Newman will work on fostering a positive environment that contributes to group activities, making events like the dance more popular.
Farewell for now Newman students and remember: “Take more chances, dance more dances”. ;)
Available in the Winter 2024 Print Edition