Margaret Lo ‘23 Gianna Trala ‘23:
Photo Courtesy of Madison Hanssens ’21
In place of last year’s winter dance, EA’s first Homecoming Dance will act as a precursor to the big EA/AIS/Haverford weekend, which will be two weeks later. This event will take place on Saturday, October 26th from 7:30-9:30 in the Lower School gym. Episcopal Academy has never before held a homecoming dance, due to the other dances that were occasionally held, but this changed because of the student-wide demand for this dance in particular. This event is largely run by Student Council and supported by recommendations from the class of 2020, which are both hoping for a large student turnout.
The structure of this dance is similar in some ways to past dances EA has hosted. Zachary Richards, Form Dean of the Class of ‘21, explains, “Up to around three years ago, we had a Can Dance during EA/Haverford weekend with all three schools. If EA hosted the games, then Haverford would host the dance.” With the DanceAthon J-term, this got switched to the DanceAthon in late fall, and finally to the winter dance last year. In regards to EA’s homecoming dance this year, Natalie Johnston, President of the Upper School Student Council, says, “This dance is not a formal or a Sadies: it’s just whatever you want it to be.” The dress code is formal and Johnston and other council members will be selling tickets closer to the date of the dance outside the cafeteria and around the Upper School. Students are also able to bring dates who do not attend Episcopal for a small additional cost, as it has been done with dances over the years. While the event is primarily focused around the dancing and the DJ, Lorie Harding, Director of Libraries and Student Council Advisor, says, “Student Council is…thinking about what else could be transpiring besides just having a DJ and music, but they haven’t yet finalized what that might be.”
The dance is intended to excite the EA community with school spirit after the game against Malvern Prep in preparation for Spirit Week. “I just think it’s a great opportunity for kids to get together and for the community to get together… High school is supposed to be fun too,” says Michael Letts, Head of Upper School. “Particularly for ninth graders, I think it’s just a nice opportunity to become more familiar with the upper school and the upperclassmen.”
In addition to providing a break from stress, it also serves as a fundraiser: all profit from the dance will be going to the Horizons program at EA. Horizons is a national educational enrichment program aimed at aiding students from low-income families. EA Horizons serves students from Frederick Douglass and Ardmore Avenue Elementary and Middle Schools, and the program runs through a six-week summer camp and through tutoring sessions throughout the school year. By using the dance, Episcopal hopes to shed light on and raise money for this program.
Episcopal student’s reaction to the announcement of the Homecoming Dance has been rather positive on the whole. Caroline Mark ‘22 states she is “very excited to see all the grades come together.” Maiah Islam ‘21 adds, “I think it’s nice that we have one this year, since all the other schools around have one. It’s nice to have a fall dance.” The novelty of this dance has also proved an important factor in raising interest among the student body. Mickey Rymal ‘20 says, “I think it’s definitely new and interesting.” Letts summarizes, “The dance just gives students the opportunity to get together and to have some fun, that makes it fun for us too.”