Remember when school dances were a big deal?

It was well before the intended end time of the Homecoming dance at Flandreau Public Schools last month when the lights came on and the decorations came down.
There were only a few people left besides the chaperones. It didnt seem reasonable to keep the music going.
School dances used to be a rite of passage the reason for butterflies, new outfits, and the fun anticipation of what the night might bring: time with friends outside of class, a crush, or just a night out, hair done and past curfew.
It always felt like a non-negotiable part of growing up.
But anymore, dances seem to be the exception instead of the norm.
Colman-Egan didnt hold a Homecoming dance this year. Flandreau may want to head back to the drawing board with participation declining. Flandreau Indian School, on the other hand, had the best turnout of any local school this fall.
So the question becomes do we just let them go by the wayside, another tradition fading out, or do we find ways to bring them back?
These are opportunities for social interaction that matter. They help teens practice communication, handle awkward moments, and build confidence in real-world settings things we cant replicate through screens or short text threads.
Yes, school dances can be awkward. They can be expensive, uncomfortable, and a logistical headache for schools to plan. But theyre also a chance to build community and connection, AND to teach the value of showing up even when something feels a little out of your comfort zone.
If we want to keep opportunities like this alive, itll likely take some creativity and maybe a little more encouragement from us as parents, teachers, and neighbors to help make showing up cool again.