Winter Formal and Homecoming are two dances that Notre Dame now hosts for all grade levels. While both dances are entertaining, they give off different vibes. On September 28th, Notre Dame hosted its first-ever Homecoming dance. There were many guests, in cute spring-colored dresses with either a date or a group of friends! There were plenty of snacks and a photo booth to take cute pictures with friends. It was located in our Father Downey garden with a DJ and a dance floor. The crowd enjoyed the music, food and atmosphere.
On the other side, the Winter Formal is an event that Notre Dame has been hosting at a venue. Both of these dances have different vibes. Winter Formal takes place at a more formal venue, meaning people take it more seriously and spend more time preparing. Since the dances are at different seasons; the attire at these events is different. For homecoming, girls wear light, spring-colored dresses too, while winter formal attire is more formal, often featuring darker colors.
Homecoming also has a spirit week leading up to the dance. Winter Formal, on the other hand, is focused solely on the dance itself without a preceding spirit week or game. They both include traditions such as bringing a date, finding an outfit and getting ready.
“Winter Formal was better because it was in a very nice venue.” Explains Gia Rivera, a Junior who has attended homecoming and winter formal. She adds, “Winter Formal was better because it was in a very nice venue.” She also added, “The DJ played songs that everyone knew and could dance to.”
Overall, both events are entertaining and significant to one’s high school experience. They both involve getting ready with friends, bringing a date and having a good time with good music. Both are fundamental to the traditional understanding. However, since they are placed at different times of the year, they have different attire and venues as homecoming is in our Father Downey garden, while winter formal is at a venue.
The timing of these dances plays a significant role in the event and how they are rated in students’ viewings. Homecoming is during the first few months of school and is the first dance of the school year. Meanwhile, the winter formal is during the winter and is one of the last dances. This timing ties into the overall experience of the dances.
I prefer the winter formal as it is a more traditional event. It is held in a venue and is usually attended more thoughtfully by students and faculty.
