Fancy dresses, suits, and ties, posters, dates, and groups. Is it worth the pressure for just one night?

Homecoming is what some people have called a rite of passage into the life of a teenager. But with the pressure to find a date and a group, the night can be more stressful than enjoyable.

“I think it is a pivotal part of our high school experience,” said junior Supreet Sandhu. Homecoming can be a night full of fun, dancing with friends and making valuable memories. However as Supreet voiced, “I feel like you are  kind of pushed into the standard you have to meet, like if you go with a date, like the classic way.”

Jonathan Wiger decided to go to Homecoming alone last year, and when asked why Wiger responded, “because the person I asked denied me.” However, this did not deter Wiger attending, as he said, “I wanted to be with my friends, and go to my first dance, it was great.” Proving that there doesn’t need to be pressure surrounding finding homecoming dates to have a good time.

Senior Lindsey Harmon went with her boyfriend Nathan Whiting to homecoming. When asked if later in life she would regret not attending, Harmon commented: “Yes! Especially since it is my senior year.” Harmon added “Nathan and I are just doing our own thing,” which she said made making plans with a date and group easy, adding to the enjoyment of the night as opposed to the stress.

There has been a stigma attached to Homecoming that to have fun you need to have a date. However, just by dressing up and hanging out with friends, you can have a lot of fun without a lot of pressure.