Sadie Hawkins dance challenges double standards

Sadie Hawkins has been a tradition at DHS and with the help of student leadership the dance is made possible. Sadies is different from other dances because the purpose is for girls to ask the boys, instead of the norm for boys to pursue the girls. The dance creates an opportunity for girls to break the double standard of making the first move and can build up the confidence needed to begin some form of a relationship, whether it’s romantic or not. 

The name “Sadie Hawkins” comes from a comic strip originating in the 1930’s when women who openly pursued making the first move was seen as offensive and head strong. The author Al Cap created the character Sadie who hasn’t had luck in finding a man to marry and with each passing year her father doesn’t want to be known as raising a spinster daughter. Instead of Sadie making her own choice her father rounded up the unmarried men in their town and declared the day as Sadie Hawkins Day. Society’s ideals have shifted into a more progressive way of living and girls making the first move is not uncommon or seen as “unlady like”. 

There’s a main committee made up of three-five people who plan the logistics for decorations, tickets and set up for the dance on Feb. 15. Sophomore Tess Striebel is a contributing factor for advertising the event to make sure students are aware of the dance and to encourage people to attend. 

“I think it’s a really fun way to bring the student body together in the winter time when we don’t have as much going on,” said Striebel. “It’s fun for girls to officially be encouraged to ask guys for once, otherwise most girls would never go out of their comfort zone.”

The dance will be a kickoff to the new semester after the stress of exams have passed creating a time for students to unwind and enjoy themselves for a few hours. 

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Giselle Mahoney

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