As Westerville South Student council prepares for this weekend’s homecoming dance, many students are wondering whether they will be able to attend. Due to the pandemic, the homecoming dance was approved by district officials with several conditions placed on the event, including it would be held outside, with a 3 foot social distance and masks enforced. 

Student Council advisor Lauren Sefton said,“We had numerous meetings between the three high schools and district officials. We were basically given certain parameters to work with. There were certain ground rules that all the schools had to follow such as the masks and the social distance. We also proposed different ideas. That is how the idea of homecoming outdoors came about.”

 In addition, a 700 ticket limit and the checking of fines and prioritizing upperclassmen for ticket purchase was established.

Tickets were sold last Monday, Sept. 20 to seniors only for the first day. Tuesday, juniors and seniors could purchase tickets during lunch and after school.  Then, all classes could purchase tickets beginning on Wednesday.

A wait-list system was created as a result of the 700 ticket limit and the tiered system of ticket acquisition. Sefton explained that the wait-list method is based on a first-come, first-served basis. Anyone who wants to buy a ticket can put their name on the waiting list. If someone who has previously purchased a ticket decides not to attend the dance and wants their money back, the person who is first on the list gets first offers on the ticket.

The choice to have homecoming outside stunned many students. The homecoming dance is usually held in the gym. The festivities generally extend to the cafeteria, where kids who do not want to dance can play card games or life-size jenga. 

Junior Kaedance Cicchino shared, “I feel like it’s a really great opportunity to experience a whole different way of  having homecoming. Normally we have it in the gym and while that is a very comforting and safe place, I feel like it would be even more fun to have it in the stadium because we will have more space, interactive activities, and it would be safer for the pandemic.”

 The reactions of the rules and regulations for homecoming varies; but for junior Natalie Ma, they seem appropriate. “Personally, I feel like there should be a need since Covid cases are going up, and we want to ensure everyone’s safety and still have a homecoming. Personally, I do not think the regulations are too strict,”  she said.

 In terms of the 3-feet social distance enforcement, Sefton said there will be a  consequence for people who disobey the rules. She stated, “They will be removed. We have to enforce those rules. People are like ‘oh they can’t do anything if we create mosh pits’ but we can turn off the DJ and send you home, which we do not want.”

  Although there are many changes to this year’s homecoming, student participation in the upcoming homecoming events increased. According to Sefton, substantially more students voted for the homecoming court than in recent years. 

 “ At least a third of the classes voted and usually they did not. People have been overly involved which is good,” Sefton said. 

With the change of location, students have to take into consideration the forecast for the Saturday, Oct. 2, dance.  With this later date,  Fall has arrived, and the temperature has begun to drop. 

 Ma has already made plans to adapt to the new setting, which will be on the Wildcat football field. “I will wear a jacket or a cardigan so I am warm compared to spaghetti straps and nothing covered. You could wear heels to take pictures and stuff; but when we are there, you can put your shoes in cubbies and walk barefoot or change shoes. I know that since I am on the student council, they are going to sell hot chocolate and pumpkin spice drinks to get warm,” she said.