Photo courtesy of Allison Xie
When the beat drops, sometimes the lights do too. Just as the DJ was about to play another hit song, the lights around the booth came tumbling down, sending students scattering before erupting into laughter. If there was ever a way to sum up the energy of this year’s Sadie Hawkins dance, that moment was it: unpredictable, electric, and completely unforgettable. Held once again at the Vestavia Hills Civic Center, the dance brought together students for a night of music and fun in support of RISE (Rebels Impact Through Service and Engagement). The money earned from the ticket sales will be donated to the University of Alabama at Birmingham O’Neal Comprehensive Cancer Research Center.
Sadie Hawkins is a dance that invites a bit of friendly role reversal, with girls traditionally taking the lead in asking out their dates and even paying for dinner. The night begins for most people by putting on their or maybe even their fathers’ best suits while others wear a new dress, whether black or colorful, short or long (a trend set by some seniors), or satin or sparkly. A trend this time was a migration from a popular picture spot at the Vestavia Country Club to the Birmingham Botanical Gardens, where students took advantage of the warmth of the beautiful greenhouse. At the dance, students were greeted by some of their favorite educators like Principal Inabinet, Mrs. Sweeney (the sponsor for RISE and Youth Leadership), and Coach Morgan. When asked, attendees said they were happy with the music choices as students were allowed to recommend songs through a form sent out a week prior. Popular songs like “Mo Bamba” by Sheck Wes, “Yeah!” by Usher, “Good Luck Babe” by Chappell Roan, and “FEIN” by Travis Scott had students dancing, jumping, and even forming dance circles in the middle of the crowd.
As the final song played and students slowly filtered out, echoes of laughter and off-key singing lingered in the air. The night had been everything a school dance should be—exciting, a little chaotic, for a good cause, and something people would remember long after the lights go down.
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