Homecoming is an event that most of the student body looks forward to as part of the high school experience. For many, it is a chance to dress up, get ready with friends, and have fun. Woodford County, however, does one aspect of Homecoming a little differently than most other schools. WCHS holds the Homecoming dance on a Friday night after the game, instead of a Saturday. This is abnormal, considering most of the surrounding schools in Fayette, Scott, Jessamine, and Franklin Counties all have their Homecoming dance on a Saturday night. 

The dance has been held on a Friday since 2023. Since the dance is on a Friday night, some students feel that they are not able to obtain the full Homecoming experience. The Friday night dance means festivities must start following the game. This means that cheerleaders, football players, and band members do not get to experience the pre-dance activities like getting ready, going to dinner, or taking pictures like some other students do. Freshman cheerleader, Emily Cable, said, “Everyone else gets to get ready and take pictures, and we don’t. We just have to rush straight from the game to the dance. We won’t even be there long.” All students should be able to have a fun dance experience that doesn’t require them to rush or not attend at all. 

Since the dance and preparation for the dance fall during the game, most students do not attend the Homecoming game, or they leave at halftime, possibly even earlier. This year, the football team will play Scott County, a fierce and strong competitor. In the past, the games between Woodford and Scott County have been long and intense. Not having many students changes the atmosphere of the game. More students at the games would bring a lot more energy to support the team. As a cheerleader myself, I can say that what should be the most exciting game of the year is typically not because the game lacks the energy from the student section due to the dance being during the game. 

The dance was moved to so that teachers would not have to work the dance on a Saturday. In previous years, some students and class officers have tried to go to the WCHS admin to get the dance moved to a Saturday night because they realized how unfair it was to some students. Attempts to have it moved have been unsuccessful. Most students say they would still rather Homecoming be on a Saturday night. 

Even though the dance being on Friday continues to stir mixed emotions, WCHS students will still show up ready to dance and make lasting memories!