Homecoming is one event that many high school students look forward to with keen anticipation. It’s a tradition that happens every year when high school students come together and have great fun.
One of the things that many girls fantasize about is winning homecoming queen. Quite honestly, however, people get quite excited over the event, regardless of whether they are in the running or not.
When it comes to tradition we already recognize that many people want things to change. It isn’t always bad but it does create some controversy.
A high school in Michigan decided to stop the crowning of homecoming queens because they consider it to be outdated. People are not being quiet about their decision.
There were some bullying issues at Chelsea high school so the Student Council decided to bring the competitive nature of homecoming queen to an end.
“We don’t want one of the biggest awards at our school to be associated with ‘pretty’ or ‘popular’ stereotypes or to be limited to a specific category of students,” Student Council President Drew Vanderspool wrote in a letter.
“It was an issue that we’ve had for a long time, and we never got around to solving it,” Maddie Dunlap, a sophomore and the Student Council public relations chairperson added. “We thought it was time for a change.”
The school plans to replace the title with an ‘excellence award’.
This award is going to be open to all students, regardless of their gender and will be considered academic, social and emotional.
“Nobody really has a good reason why they want it to stay the same. We think as a student council, the negative feedback is not even close to outweighing the positivity that this award will spread,” Dunlap said.
The Facebook page of a local news station had many people giving their opinion on the ‘excellence award.
“We should just cut to the chase and give everyone a 4.0 GPA while we’re at it, just so the students who don’t put the hard work in don’t feel bad,” someone commented.
“‘Because girls were often left with hurt feelings’. Seriously? That’s called LIFE. Deal with it,” another wrote.
“WHY? That made high school fun for us! The choices are made by vote, so what’s the harm? Kids are ‘soft’ nowadays.. My class Homecoming King & Queen were active in student government, made excellent grades, and active in their churches… Thirty-two years later, our alumni still keep in touch..,” another user chimed in.
Many people were also happy about the changes.
“I always thought this was a useless thing and surprised it took so long to set aside. What is the point? Popularity contest?? Meh,” someone wrote.
“Great idea! It’s outdated anyways, I think students should come up with new ideas, something that fits the new generation.”
There was controversy but a student at that high school well received the excellence award at the homecoming football game this year.
The Student Council is still debating on whether to change other school traditions, including the crowning of the prom king and queen.
