Homecoming is the school event I look forward to the most every year. I always participate in all the dress-up days, and, unlike many, I went to both the homecoming dance and game as a freshman and plan to go again as a sophomore. Needless to say, I love homecoming week.
I’m one to think some things through ahead of time, so when I found out this year’s homecoming theme and dress-up days, I immediately started planning out my outfits for each day.
When I read the “NO JEANS!!!!” warning in this year’s dress up guidelines, I was slightly upset because most of my pre-planned outfits involved jeans. Homecoming is next week, and, frankly, I’m still not sure what I’m going to wear in lieu of them.
As I heard more and more people complaining about this rule, I quickly learned that I wasn’t alone in my aggravation. However, I didn’t quite understand why people were complaining so adamantly; last year there was a similar rule in place for most of the dress-up days. Jeans weren’t allowed for any of the dress up days except for rocker day, and, like this year, black jeans were allowed for Black and Gold day. But last year people weren’t ranting “Why even have a homecoming if we have so many rules?”
In order to find out the real reasoning behind the “no jeans” homecoming policy, I went to speak with the Dean of Students himself, Mr. Dean Nolle. I essentially learned that any petitioning or act of defiance would be useless, since the policy came from Mr. Bill Laurie himself. According to Mr. Nolle, students were getting “lazy” with dress up days.
“Jeans become jeans and a t-shirt,” Nolle said. “We either want people to be fully participatory or in uniform.”
This was understandable. I clearly remembered a friend of mine from eighth grade; she didn’t have anyone to match with on twin day, so she wore a t-shirt and jeans and said that her “left side [twinned] with [her] right side.”
Like most rules, the “no jeans” policy was implemented because people took advantage of their privilege. No matter how angry or frustrated you may be, it is difficult to ignore the logical reasoning behind the policy. Leggings, which are considered to be more revealing than jeans by many, are currently still allowed, with conditions. Leggings can be worn if they are paired with shorts, a long shirt, or dress. If the rules aren’t followed, I have a strong feeling that leggings might hold the same fate as jeans.
As one who always tries to follow the rules, I get upset when my privileges are taken away because of other people’s thoughtless actions, which happens much more often than I’d like to admit. There is always a lesson to be learned in every situation. Understand what you’re given, and treat it with care. It’s not fair to those that do if you don’t.
