The homecoming dance may be replaced by a Winter semi-formal for good. Homecoming is usually held in the first few months of the school year. This year, due to the prior year’s low turnout and interest, West Morris Mendham did not have a homecoming dance and instead had a winter semi-formal held on the January 25th.

Homecoming did not make enough profit last year to give a reason for continuation. This year, the winter semi-formal was able to cover the cost of everything at that dance and also make approximately a thousand dollar profit. The photo booth was donated by the PTO and was enjoyed by many students who attended the dance. Overall, 204 tickets were sold to the dance with the majority of tickets sold were to 9th and 10th graders. According to Mrs. Bovee, Co-Advisor to the Student Council at West Morris Mendham High School, “We were able to cover our basic costs of like the DJ, snacks, water, all of that, and they were able to walk away with some profit.”

The DJ, from MagicTouch DJs, is the same one who plays at Prom. While not every song was screamed by every student, the dance floor was full of engaged students. Both older party hits and modern pop songs were played. Notably, “Party in the USA,” by Miley Cirus, was played twice and a conga line formed.

A common complaint from students was the lack of quality food. Many students came to the semi-formal expecting food they would make a meal out of and instead found desserts, apple sauces, a hot cocoa making station, and assorted Mendham themed sodas. According to Ella D’Aquanni, a freshman at West Morris Mendham, “the only thing that I would change is the food, because there was only, like cookies and like apple sauce containers, and it was all really random.” The apple sauces were intended to be a gluten-free dessert option for those who could not eat the other desserts.

While the administrators have not gotten feedback on the dance yet to decide whether to keep the semi-formal going forward, the reception is positive and students are likely to see the semi-formal return. According to Mrs. Bovee, “I think [the semi-formal] is something that will [return]. Since we just had the dance, the student council hasn’t had a chance to meet yet, but when we do bring everyone together, we’re definitely going to get feedback.” If the semi-formal does return, it is likely Homecoming will not.

Student council will be holding an upcoming meeting to discuss their thoughts on whether to keep the semi-formal going forward. If you have opinions on the semi-formal, voice them and they may get addressed. Students can speak to class officers or their English class representatives to get ideas through during student council meetings.