Many people view, Pingree’s first pep rally of the year as a huge success.The gym was packed with energy, school spirit, and excitement. While students flood the bleachers for pep rallies, school dances tell a different story.
According to Mr. Moran, part of the reason lies in the post-COVID social shift. “There was a time when dances were really popular,” he explained. “After COVID, people don’t really go anymore- it’s more of a word-of-mouth thing.” While a few dances after COVID had strong turnouts, interest has steadily declined since.
Pep rallies, on the other hand, never faced that problem. They have grown even more spirited, with help from the white-out theme and leadership from varsity fall captains. Mr. Moran said “We really listen to what students want, that makes a big difference.”
Planning also plays an important role. Pep rallies are run by team captains and the Highlander Nation group, while dances often depend on smaller committees or class representatives. Location, grade level involvement, and themes all matter, and students say those details can make or break an event.
This raises an important question: do students really want dances anymore (other than prom)? Seniors have been working hard to boost attendance, but the post-COVID social habits might have changed what events students value the most. After spending so much time apart, many students think it’s harder to get back into big, formal events, even dances. One student says, “We are all so busy with school and extracurriculars, that dances aren’t what I would like to be doing in my free time” emphasizing how students are prioritizing building themselves up, rather than going to small school dances.
Some students argue that while these things are important, building connections with other students is equally important. The shift in social habits largely stems from COVID-19, which forced students to spend long periods of time isolated and relying on technology to communicate. Many got used to smaller, more comfortable circles of friends, making big, organized events like dances feel less natural than they once did.
One thing is for sure, Pingree’s school spirit is alive and well. The challenge now is finding new ways to celebrate it beyond the gym.
