The hero’s journey comes to an end. Freeze frame: dresses overflowing in sequins, mismatch ties, the glittering night air, all amounting to the climax of every teen rom-com. Whether it’s homecoming, prom or formal films have institutionalized a toxic perspective of American high school dances. Five character archetypes exist in these movies: the nerd, the jock, the princess, the criminal, and the basket case; reality is far more nuanced.

Nevertheless, the American high school experience greatly influences and is influenced by the homecoming tradition. Since the 1920s, high schools across the U.S.A. have participated in the football game and its accompanying dance.

Following the introduction of the event into film, homecoming has spurred plenty of ill-willed opinions, especially regarding the crowning of a “king and queen.” Negative opinions generally hit the same points: it’s a popularity contest. It holds no real merit. It’s rigged.

So what?

Because homecoming comes around so early in the semester, students (especially freshmen) are not affected as much as film would leave us to believe. Friendships are not determined by the outcome of the court election, nor does the future school year depend on it. In truth, the tradition alleviates overworked students in a night of fun and fancy dress.  

Despite a good portion of the student population regarding homecoming as unimportant, a rigged voting system can cause harm. In years past, students have voted in an attempt to humiliate their contender, in a Carrie-esque fashion. How hilarious to shine the spotlight on a person you deem strange in an effort to demean them. 

Unintended hurt can also be felt by the election of a homecoming court if students who are generally “more popular” continuously win the majority vote. Those who are less known by the greater student population have less of a chance of being nominated and voted onto the court. Discouragement and resistance arise in “less popular” people, furthering the harmful stereotype of the all-American dance. 

Ultimately, the tradition of a homecoming dance has been judged as problematic, thanks widely to film and media. In reality though, as long as students vote truthfully, the homecoming court amounts to fun.