This year, BVNW StuGo is bringing back the Sweetheart Dance. The dance will be held at Blue Valley Northwest on Feb. 15. StuGo sponsor Sarah Derks said that in the past eight years she was involved in StuGo, Sweetheart had the lowest attendance at dance compared to Homecoming and Prom.
“Two years ago, we only had about 100 people show up, and we were able to financially break even,” Derks said.
Typically, a Sweetheart dance is hosted at the school in February with more students in attendance, which adds more money to pay for other events like Homecoming; however, last year StuGo decided on a less formal mixer instead. Executive Secretary and junior Sama Salim said this decision was made because StuGo did not want to risk losing more money.
“The mixer was just a way to have something else there, just another social event, but it was also free for people to enter. I’m not sure if we’ll use it again,” Salim said.
Assistant Principal and Activities Director Kelsey Bakalar said after Sweetheart last year, she met with the Executive Board for Student Government and the Pep Club to reflect on what could change for the current school year.
“We always sit down after dances and reflect on successes and things we want to do differently next year. And so that was the case, and we decided to go back to a more traditional Sweetheart base this year,” Bakalar said.
After receiving requests from the underclassmen about bringing back the traditional Sweetheart dance, Philanthropic Chair senior Meghan Churchill said StuGo decided to bring the dance back for the 2024-2025 school year.
“We really wanted to make a change this year and actually kind of have a dance, because it unites people, it has that sense of community and other schools have such big Sweetheart [Dances]. And so we were thinking, why can’t we?” Churchill said.
A new change will be established this year when Sweetheart Royalty is crowned. Royalty crowning will occur at the dance instead of at the basketball game. Churchill said this decision was made to encourage upperclassmen to attend the dance.
“Candidates are still going to do their fun little dance at the assembly and then parents are still going to walk them out during the game, but we won’t crown until the dance this year,” Churchill said. “We’re really trying to make it a fun dance for everyone and encourage people to come.”
Additionally, there will be a carnival in the Commons for people to attend before the basketball game on Feb. 14. According to Churchill, various Northwest clubs will set up booths for students to participate in and a portion of the ticket proceeds will go back to those clubs.
Alongside this, Derks said she wants the dance to be more of a casual event where students don’t have to stress about finding a date and dressing up formally. She also said the ticket prices will be lowered due to raised concerns.
“You don’t have to buy a fancy dress. You don’t have to look like you’re going to a big ball or the Met Gala. And if you got to be in scrubs because you’re going out to work, or you’re in sweats and a T-shirt, then come as you are,” Derks said. “We want as many people there as possible, and we want everyone to have fun and feel welcome and included.”
Bakalar said StuGo will continue to innovate and try to do things students can enjoy for Sweetheart. She said she hopes students will be happy the traditional dance is returning to Northwest and have fun.
Regarding questions about the future of Sweetheart dances, Derks said StuGo will take it on a year-by-year case based on student feedback.
“We’ll probably still have a dance. It’s just a matter of, does that dance look more or less formal,” Derks said.
Through these changes, Churchill said she hopes the reintroduction of the dance will unite the student body and bring back school spirit.
“A lot of things that we’ve talked about this year on StuGo is ‘How can we unite Northwest as a community?’” Churchill said. “It’s really just about uniting people and having a sense of community for Sweetheart Week and Spirit Week.”
More information about this year’s Sweetheart Dance will be posted on BVNWStugo’s Instagram after winter break.
