WPA Date Switch: Why the dance was moved from Feb. 15 to Feb. 1

The WPA Sweetheart dance has been moved from Feb. 15 to Feb. 1, after conflicting events such as trips and basketball games arose. The original date, Feb. 15, was set back in May 2019.

This year, the original date was the Saturday of President’s weekend, where many students go out of town.

“In the past, it’s just been a three day weekend. Then you have about a 50/50 split between those going out of town for Martin Luther King weekend and those going out of town for President’s [Day] weekend,” Asst. Principal Britt Haney said.

Most students were concerned about missing WPA and others were concerned about missing the sweetheart court, so STUCO moved the date to Feb. 1. 

“We understand where people are coming from, but at the same time, we have to satisfy the majority of the school,” Student Body President, senior Eva Hill said.

There are three varsity boys basketball games during the time frame STUCO had in mind for the dance: South, Rockhurst and Olathe North. 

Traditionally, the crowning is at a varsity boys basketball game on the Friday before the Saturday dance. Due to the logistics and attendance of the currently scheduled Friday night games, the crowning will take place at the Olathe North game, Tuesday Feb. 4, after the dance. 

“We have three games and they’re all really too tough to have a crowning at,” Haney said.

STUCO has to finalize all WPA planning two weeks ahead of schedule. Trivia night is also being held the same week as WPA, making the dance’s planning even more challenging. 

“It’s been kind of hectic within student council to get decorations planned and made and purchase and get tickets designed and sent to the print shop” Hill said.

Tickets will be available to purchase starting the week of Jan. 27 before and after school and during lunch. They are $10 if bought before or $20 at the door.