School dances are some of the most fun, yet most unsanitary activities one can experience at Choate.
At a school dance, I feel like I am in a can of packed sardines, overwhelmed by the body odor erupting from the bodies next to me.
All jokes aside, it is really fun to see a side of people you don’t normally get to see during the school day. You get to put your friends to the test and discover whether they know timeless legends such as “Party in The U.S.A..” Plus, if you really want to test someone’s pop culture knowledge, you can see if they know how to properly “whip” and “nae nae.”
Half the fun is the anticipation leading up to a dance. It gives us something to look forward to — a break from the ordinary. In the days leading up to it, people get to gossip about who’s going with who, what they are going to wear, and whether this dance will top the last one. That being said, there are a few things you must know before stepping into the strobe lights.
First, do your civic duty and wear deodorant for the sake of all of our nostrils! If we all do it, we can avoid the sardine container smell we all love.
Second, make sure to wear sneakers if you want to be able to walk around the next day. If you must wear high heels or dress shoes, wear them for the picture and change into sneakers after. Also, make sure to tie your laces tight so you don’t lose your shoes or break your ankle.
Third, always take pictures beforehand. You do not want to be photographed within five minutes of stepping onto the dance floor because all the hard work that went into your hair and makeup will be toast. In that same vein, don’t film the whole thing. No one wants your camera light in their face or your Instagram capturing their ugly dancing moments.
Finally, actually dance! Don’t be afraid. The song choices are unpredictable, and no one ever remembers who the first person to dance was, so get to groovin’ as quickly as possible. Also, if you have long hair, you must put it up immediately because people’s armpits will find it if you leave it down, and that is not a pain anyone should have to experience.
Choate dances get so much hype for a reason: they are a celebration of our community, a way for us to come together, and a chance for us to share aspects of ourselves with each other. Despite all their sanitary shortcomings, Choate dances are some of the best parts of boarding school life. With that being said, make sure that you go to 3/4 and join me on the dance floor. There is nothing better than busting a move together!
