Twice a year, the tables of tradition turn and it’s up to the girls to ask their dates to Hi-lites. Hi-lites has proven to be a crowd favorite for many reasons, from the potential for originality to the more laid back atmosphere than other dances.

“I enjoy Hi-lites because it’s kind of a carefree, stressless dance,” junior Campbell Rolfe said. “My favorite theme has probably been “Trapped in a TV Land,” where I went as Jessie from Toy Story. I’ve also gone as a burglar, a World War II nurse, and Little Red Riding Hood. I like that girls get to be in charge of the group size and who’s in them. Most of my Hi-lites groups are usually 15-20 couples but as the years go on the groups seem to get smaller. Usually at after-parties we just hang out and eat good food or swim or roast marshmallows. I like Hi-lites better than homecoming because you don’t really have to worry about looking that good and you can go as casual or ‘all out’ as you want to with your costume costume. Also, more people actually dance at Hi-lites than homecoming.”

Another plus of Hi-lites is that without having to buy a nice outfit and pay for a fancy dinner, it ends up being significantly cheaper than homecoming. After students have been eagerly waiting, the theme is announced at a pep rally. Dates have the opportunity to coordinate costumes based off of well-known pairs or creative concepts. The theme is left often to interpretation, allowing for wiggle room to whatever the couples preferences are, whether budget based or interest based. Recent Hi-lites themes have varied from the broad color scheme of Eons of Neon to the concept based specificity of Night at the Museum.

“I love Hi-lites because it’s cheap to make your own costume,” junior Grace Evans said. “My favorite theme has been “Once Upon a Time,” my date and I went as Mickey and Minnie Mouse.”

Prior commitments do not always have to fully interfere with a student’s ability to attend Hi-lites. Due to its relaxed atmosphere, it doesn’t require much preparation on the day of the dance.

“For spring Hi-lites last year,” junior Emma Chapel said, “I had a track meet on the day of the dance, so a few friends and I just got ready quickly after the meet and came up with a last minute costume. It was so easy because then we just got to go to the dance together and still go to our friend group’s after party.”

Still don’t believe that Hi-lites is the best dance out there? After polling a class of 20 students, results showed that 11 out of 20 prefer Hi-lites, 6 out 20 prefer Homecoming, and 3 out of 20 favor Junior Symphony Ball. And get ready, because the upcoming Hi-lites dance has fallen on October 31th, and rumors of a Halloween theme have been flying.