Homecoming

October

Homecoming happened at the end of a wild week at WS where students had walked in a parade and made a huge bonfire along with cheering on peers at the annual HC football game. This dance is more casual, but still just as much of a classic as Prom. [1970s-2000s]

Christmas Dance

December

The Christmas Dance - being that the majority of WS students did celebrate Christmas, the school hosted a nice wintery dance to encompass that celebration. Now, however that title would most likely be replaced by ‘Winter Formal’ or ‘Holiday Dance’ to offer students with all backgrounds a dance not based on one certain religion. [1980s]

Sparta Dance

Sparta Dance was just a fun mid-year spirit dance that was meant to inspire some school pride and offer students the opportunity to break out those dancing shoes. [1970s-1980s]

Sadie Hawkins

February/March

Sadie Hawkins was a dance that broke the normal custom of men asking women to school dances. It became a woman-empowering rite at high school and college campuses, and the tradition continued into the 80s and beyond at West Springfield. Being more casual than even homecoming, it was just seen as a casual first semester bash. [1970-2000s]

Prom

May/June

The Prom was still all the rage back in the 80’s where guys would agonize over whether their dream date would say yes to going, and girls would either spend surprising amounts of money on a dress or just have their mother make it for them; it was held toward the end of senior year and was a pivotal picture taking opportunity for the scrapbooks. [1970s-2000s]