Students were pleasantly surprised on Thursday, Jan. 18, when they were notified that a winter dance had been organized for the near future. Titled “Winter Wonderland,” the dance will be remembered as a first in Bulldog history.
Noticeable changes have come to social activities at Stone Bridge. Among the many “first time” inclusions this year was a DJ at the Homecoming pep rally, and the announcement of Homecoming king and queen at the dance itself instead of the titular game. And, in regards to the dance itself, students had more fun than previous years, citing a dance battle-slash-circle, an improved playlist, and even a visit from firefighters after the fire alarms went off.
“A lot of what we’re trying to do is to just create a stronger or more prevalent Stone Bridge culture, appreciating everybody in their abilities whether it’s the arts, athletics, academics, anything like that,” Student Council Administration (SCA)’s Gabby Flamish said. “[We want to] enforce that you have a community around you and [that] it can be fun if you choose to build the bridge and things like that.”
This revitalizing effort comes as a result of new SCA officers and members, but also a welcomed response from the student body. The general attitude towards school activities and overall spirit seemingly have been down, with football games being almost the sole survivor of the spread of the “school-sick.”
“Last year we didn’t have set officer positions, which we for sure have this year.” SCA President Praggy Sangeetham said. “With the new advising, we kind of debriefed and decided that last year was not a great year for SCA, and that we want this year to be better. We want to leave Stone Bridge with something new that we’ve created. Not like a legacy, but just starting something new and letting it grow once we’re gone.”
The new SCA advisor, Mr. Phillip Campbell, is currently in his first year at Stone Bridge, as he worked at Riverside in the years prior. He is a social science teacher at Stone Bridge, and though he was confused about lunch blocks and the maze of hallways when first arriving at the school, he looks forward to the future and particularly to the winter dance.
“[Stone Bridge has] been fantastic. It’s a school with great tradition, and it’s an honor to be here,” Mr. Campbell said.
On the topic of tradition, SCA seeks to create new ones with not just the introduction of the winter dance, but by branching out from particular roots of Bulldog culture.
“I think that in the past, we’ve been really scared of straying away from tradition,” SCA Spirit Leader officer Emory Ellis said. “And I think tradition is a really special part of Stone Bridge, but this year we realized that it’s okay to stray away from the things that we do every year and branch out into newer things. I think we’ve created a really good balance of bringing in the new while appreciating the old.”
The decision to host a winter dance therefore came from this shifting mindset that seemed to seep through SCA: analyzing Bulldog culture, desiring to change it, and having the tools to do so.
“Unfortunately [at] Stone Bridge our culture is to go out, go to dinner, go to a party, and not go to the dance,” Vice President of Internal Affairs Addie Hafer said. “We’re hoping that cheaper tickets and a new event will pick up the attendance and change people’s minds.”
I think tradition is a really special part of Stone Bridge, but this year we realized that it’s okay to stray away from the things that we do every year and branch out into newer things. I think we’ve created a really good balance of bringing in the new while appreciating the old.
— Emory Ellis
In addition to tickets being only $5, the dance will have other structural changes. SCA wanted to leave the dress-code up for individual interpretation, encouraging people to show up in anything from “winter pajamas to suit and tie” in an effort to further celebrate student culture. The dance will be held in the cafeteria and surrounding areas. To honor tradition, there will be a spirit week followed by a “mini-pep rally,” which also hints at new, exciting activities.
“All we are asking from the student body is to give us a chance,” Ellis said. “I think that new things can be scary and naturally people are going to be skeptical, but you won’t know until you give us a chance to bring something new to you. We represent the student body and I think we really are trying to put on something that will resonate with all students from Stone Bridge.”
Winter Wonderland will take place on February 24, from 7-9 p.m. More information regarding how to obtain tickets will be released soon.
