![This New Smyrna Beach rental home, occupied by ASL teacher Kiara Campbell's friend, experienced flooding that overflowed the lake. "Usually her husband and kids can go on the outside of this [fence] and fish in that in that little pond and it almost hit where her pergola is," Campbell said. (Courtesy Kiara Campbell)](https://www.wjpitch.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/1000009847-1200x900.jpg)
School events like Prom and Homecoming play vital roles in fostering community spirit and creating memorable experiences for students at the school. However, clear gaps in funding for these two events can raise questions and concerns about the equity and priorities within our school.
Prom, often considered the finale of high school social events, is traditionally held for seniors and sometimes even accompanied by dates who are juniors. At WJ, Prom looks like tuxedos and fancy dresses, expensive venues, dinner, dancing and entertainment. Given its significance, WJ raises and spends significant money to ensure that the event is memorable and enjoyable for students in their last year of high school.
Homecoming, on the other hand, is more school spirit and celebration-esque, typically featuring a week of activities like Homecoming hallways, the Homecoming football game, pep rallies and a dance. While it is a cherished tradition, the funding allocated to Homecoming is often lacking compared to Prom, which is not what you would expect considering Homecoming is for students of all grades while Prom is mostly just for seniors.
Mary Bittle Koenick, a booster club president, is no stranger to school events like Homecoming and Prom. Koenick has been a member for 10 years and the club president for three years. Events like this take months of preparation and planning and the WJ Booster Club does an outstanding job with these school events.
“We have already begun planning the post-Prom party already. It’s gonna take about eight months to book the venue and get everything set,” Koenick said.
Funding for large events like Prom and Homecoming takes months of preparation and extreme organization. Homecoming activities usually start to be planned out in August with the dance in October, while this year’s Prom planning has already begun even though it occurs in May.
Senior Kevin Moran was never a huge fan of Homecoming due to its lack of appeal and excitement, especially for the senior class since their first two Homecoming dances were held on the tennis courts.
“It never really jumped out at me as something I wanted to go to. I enjoy the post-parties but the idea of a school-held dance on the tennis courts never really called my name. I’m excited for Prom though,” Moran said.
Freshman Spencer Robinson has enjoyed his time so far in a new school environment but was also a little let down by the school’s Homecoming dance. Robinson enjoyed time with his older sister and her friends during a Homecoming party and even brought some of his friends along as well.
“I spent most of my time doing stuff with my older sister and her senior friends as well,” Robinson said.
Prom has proved to be a memorable and exciting event that all grades look forward to but Homecoming doesn’t seem to provide the same excitement. Whether it’s a schoolwide funding issue or Homecoming, which is just not as exciting as it was years ago, the tradition has begun to fall short of its potential in the last few years.
