No better way to start spring than at Fling: an opinion

It should be a rule that you can’t graduate without attending a high school dance at least one time.

School dances are the pinnacle of a high school experience– it’s literally part of the American dream. Basically, every movie, book, television show, or alternative media that mentions high school has a dance. Who could pass up the idea of the night of a lifetime with fancy dinners, fun pictures and memories, and a reason to get fancy? 

Students at the high school prepare for the Fling dance on the Saturday before or after Valentine’s Day. It’s a great time to dance the night away and meet new people while getting to take your mind off of academic stress. 

Often, underclassmen aren’t sure what to expect of Fling. Is it more casual, like Homecoming, or fancier, like Prom? In fact, Fling is a world in between. Even if you don’t want to participate in Crazy Hair Day or Heart Clothing Day, this dance is a perfect way to end a fun-filled winter week. As any upperclassmen will tell you, the worst months of the school year is the January to March due to the grind between winter and spring break. 

Fling allows students to break up the monotony of cold winter mornings, so students should take advantage of the opportunity to dress up with some friends and have some fun at a dance. Senior Leah Buterarakos’s first Fling experience was as a new student who found her place by jumping into the uncomfortable feelings of a high school dance.  

 “I went my sophomore year. It was fun. I just really wish I knew more about it before going,” Buterarakos said. “I was new that year so I knew that I was going to be thrown into this new setting and I didn’t know what I was walking into, but ultimately it was fine and I enjoyed it.”

There can be a lot of anxiety asking someone to go to a dance with you. But the worst thing that anyone could say is no. It might feel uncomfortable to ask someone out to dinner or a dance, and if you’re an underclassman this could be completely new for you. The feeling of being asked to dance leaves people smiling cheek-to-cheek. Even if you don’t get asked to a dance in high school, the events create an opportunity to meet new people and potentially a future date. Some of the best memories I have at dances came from asking my friends. Freshman Logan Will battled this intimidating part of high school with his girlfriend this year. She said “yes,” but it was a journey.

“I asked my girlfriend to Homecoming. First I went to her cross country meet but it turned out she had left so when I went over to her house to ask her to the dance her dad actually came outside and it was really awkward and he went back inside and told her that I had a question to ask her.”

The most popular form of asking someone to a dance is with a poster board sign. Students find creative ways to pose the cheesy question. Often they use unique and personal signs created as a way to relate to their date and ask them to the dance. Sign proposals are good ways to make your date feel like you care. Whether you go with a friend, significant other, or a group of friends, putting effort into making a sign shows the person you’re asking that you’re thinking of them. 

“I always think that proposals to dances are cute, but there’s a [right] way to do it, not just going on your phone and texting, ‘Hey, do you want to go to Fling with me?’” Buterarakos said. “I think it should be a face-to-face interaction because body language says a lot, and if someone likes you and if they enjoy their time with you [they’ll say yes].” 

Before the dance, students will also often capture fun pictures. There are many options for beautiful locations around Grand Rapids. Typically, good locations are at a scenic outdoor space or a restaurant. There are tons of good options in the area that are nice and affordable, even for a teenage budget.

“My friends and I went to P.F Chang’s last year for our first [dance,] and I recommend it,” Buterarakos said. “It’s such a good place. The dishes are huge, it’s a place where I think a lot of people also go.” 

Upperclassmen and underclassmen do their dances a bit differently as they get older. You might have gotten a better job than you had as a freshman or you got your license and you’re excited to drive your date to the dance. Whether you wake up, shower, and head to school, or you’re up at the crack of dawn ripping curling rods out of your hair, you won’t regret a fun night out with friends. 

“For Homecoming, we rented a van like they have at Northview, and we took some photos at the Blue Bridge,” said Will.  We went to my girlfriend’s house and ate there, straight to the dance from there, then we went to Freddy’s.”

Getting ready for a dance feels like you’re in a movie, like putting on the outfit you have been looking at in your closet for months. In my opinion, the hype leading up to the dance is one of the best part of the night, especially the music. Everyone should take the opportunity to go to a dance at least once in high school.  Take those risks, ask your crush to dance, and make fun high school memories that you’ll be excited to share with the next generation. I promise it will be worth it.

Personally, I didn’t get to attend any dances during my freshman year because of Covid-19. These past few years, going to dances, having fun with my friends, and making new ones, made me realize just how much I missed out on that first year. I want everyone that has this opportunity to go to these dances to take it, because I wish I could’ve had that experience.