Dances are an essential part of the high school experience. At least, they should be. Unfortunately, many Riordan students are troubled by the lack of school-sponsored dances in recent years.

First, take a look at the past two years. The 2023–24 school year held only three dances: the Halloween Dance on Oct. 28, Junior Prom on April 27, and Senior Prom on May 11. The current school year also has only held three dances: Homecoming on Sept. 28, Junior Prom on March 29, and Senior Prom on May 10.

These past two school years have included a single school dance and two proms, one for each of the upper grades. Unless specifically invited as a guest, students from the other grades cannot attend.

Meanwhile, the 2022–23 school year had both a Halloween Dance and a Frosh/Soph Winter Formal along with the two proms.

Dances are great opportunities to have some fun with friends, and they build a community, but with only one all-grade dance a year, it is difficult to do so.

Another issue that students have found with recent dances is the music selection. While the experience is overall enjoyable, many found that the music was too loud to have a conversation with someone standing next to them. On top of this, almost all lights are off in the gym, so it is difficult to even see one’s friends.

Also, while up-beat songs are expected at any dance, the lack of slow songs deprives students of the typical scene found in a high school movie. Some students expressed objections with the DJ not respecting song requests, and others were outright dissatisfied with his set.

Surely, there is a time for another dance or two throughout the school year. The dances in the past have had high attendance rates, so there is not a concern of lack of interest.

With all respect to those in charge of planning (let’s face it, they do a lot), Crusaders deserve another chance or two to show off their dance moves with their friends from other grade levels.