Konawaena school dances are a controversial topic among students

Konawaena high school students at the 2025 Homecoming dance. NOS DEMELLO/THE WILDCAT

By: Kaelynn Qualey

Opinion Editor

Copy Editor

School dances became a controversial topic among students last year, after Aloha MAP became the event planners for Konawaena High School and increased the number of dances. While some students appreciated the increase for its ability to better connect the student body, others disliked the cost of dances, and some believed that having too many dances made them less special.

Samantha Mock Chew, a junior, said that, “The dances were fun, although they were expensive,” before mentioning the ticket prices of around sixty dollars.

However, Leonell Grace, an Aloha MAP event planner, said that the prices used to be $80 and higher per dance. With funding from Aloha MAP and its parent organization, Friends of the Future, they were able to bring the price down so that more students could attend. Even though some students said the dances are expensive, they are still cheaper than previous years.

Though the prices for dances have gone down, the cost has impacted the number of people willing to go to certain events. 

Aunty Nell said that the main reason that the Valentine’s Dance was canceled last year was due to the close dates of Winter Ball and Prom; students were forced to choose which dance they wanted to prioritize and spend their money on. This further shows the impact that the cost of dances has had on student attendance.

Students also said that the dances provide an event away from school grounds for them to gather and have fun. Marc Romualdo, a sophomore, said, “Having these dances can connect a lot of people and also help people put themselves out there.” 

Lucy Langford, a sophomore, said that dances are important for high school students because they  are a unique experience. 

“School dances are there for memories, like you’re supposed to look back and think that was fun. But if there are so many memories, the value goes down,” Langford said.