It’s Time To Face That Dreaded H-Word

Mon., Oct. 13, 1997

Brianne Jacobs North Central

There’s one seemingly innocuous word that sends shivers down my spine. As if going back to school wasn’t stressful enough, “they” (who they are I’m not real sure, but I bet Mel Gibson knows) devised a plan to ruin the average teenager’s life.

Homecoming.

Sure it seems innocent enough on the outside: A football game, a nice dinner and a dance. The problem is “they” only give us a month to find a dress, make dinner plans and, oh yeah, find a date who isn’t too short, too tall, too geeky or too civilized.

It’s enough to drive a person crazy.

How exactly do you go about getting a date to the dreaded dance? Do you ask a friend? Do you ask the person you secretly have a crush on? How will you deal with rejection?

After extensive research trying to find the answer, I’ve concluded: Just ask someone.

For years guys have been asking girls to dances, but the tides are changing. While every girl appreciates male-initiated dates, girls need to take the lead sometimes and do the asking. It’s a lot better than waiting for someone to ask you, which (I’m not trying to ruin your day or anything) may never happen.

So, let’s say somehow you get a date. You’re ready to go, right? Wrong.

Now, “they” have decided Homecoming must be a miniprom (that other huge stress-inducing affair I shouldn’t even get started on).

The next step in this Homecoming extravaganza is a new outfit. Even if you have been to dances before and have many nice outfits, they won’t do. It is against the law in most high schools to wear the same outfit more than once.

Even worse, if you wear the same outfit as someone else at the dance, it is a sure end to your high school popularity.

The right outfit can be found, of course, but only after shopping for a week straight and doling out a month’s savings.

After all the time and money spent finding the perfect outfit “they” say you need, you probably have only enough money for a fast-food kind of dinner. So instead of going into debt because “they” say you’re supposed to go to a fancy restaurant, why not cook dinner with a few other couples?

It can be fun, healthy and a great savior of time and money. Be sure to bring a change of clothes, however, because more than likely a food fight will erupt.

The best advice I can give is to just have fun and don’t stress. Break tradition. Don’t follow “their” rules.

The event is what you make of it. Homecoming is really nothing but a great excuse to go out with some friends and have a ton of fun, no matter what “they” want you to believe.

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