No

Makenzie White
Today almost everyone knows that homecoming is a dance held usually every year at a high school. However, what many do not know is that it dates back to 1891 when a “coming home” celebration was organized surrounding the football game, rallies, parades, and other things to encounter school pride.
Along with this tradition came the idea of homecoming king and queen. In 2009 the homecoming dance and the idea of a king and queen celebrated their 100th anniversary.
It is often said that old habits die hard, and maybe this is the case with a homecoming king and queen. For many years there seemed to be no problem with the idea of having a king and queen. However, today that no longer seems to be the case.
Many people would say that current day homecoming king and queen is just one big popularity contest, and that it only makes other people feel worse about themselves.
Emma Conway, sophomore at Woodland, said, “[we should not have homecoming king and queen] because it sets two people up on a pedestal that they shouldn’t be on.”
Some people would disagree with this saying that it is just friendly competition and that people should not be so sensitive to little things like who wins homecoming king and queen.
However, some would feel that to not be elected is to be socially rejected. And believe it or not, social rejection is one of the top causes of teen suicide.
The feelings of social rejection it may cause are not the only consequence this competition among students can have.
The United States was founded off of the belief that everyone is created equal. The country was also based on a meritocracy, the idea that everything is based on achievements. Therefore, a wealthy and a poor person had the same chance of getting into an Ivy League school because it is all based off of their achievements.
The idea of a meritocracy is from the king and queen elections of homecoming. Many people would say that it is just one big popularity contest in which people who are liked are rewarded.
It is not based off of achievements, it is based off of how many people like them.
Conway said, “It just makes people feel bad about themselves.”

Yes

Jessica Crosby
It is homecoming night and students are getting ready for the dance. People are wondering what others are going to wear and who with whom they will dance with.
Many students look forward to the homecoming dance. They like to dress and socialize. Homecoming is designed for students to have fun and be social.
When a student arrives at the homecoming dance, they transform into a different person for the night. The students are all dressed up and it is like they are on the “red carpet” when they enter the dance.
Homecoming has always been a tradition at Woodland. At homecoming there is music, dancing, and of course the crowning of the king and queen.
Homecoming king and queen have always been around for  homecomings at woodland. It is merely a competition for teens. Students vote for who they want to be elected homecoming king or queen for their grade.
Then, during the night of the dance, a supervisor announces who has gotten the most votes out of the boys and girls in each grade. After that, the two winners from each grade dance together on a slow song and seize the moment for the night.
A lot of students like to be nominated because it makes some students feel good about themselves. It may be a popularity contest, but it encourages students to vote for whom they think deserves it. They may deserve it because they are well-liked. A student may deserve to win this because he or she has a special date who is accompanying them to the dance. They may get picked and he or she can have a special dance with their date.
Homecoming king and queen have been around for a long time. According to florage.com, homecoming king and queen has been a tradition since the 1920’s. It is an event that is anticipated every year for homecoming.
The idea of homecoming king and queen may relate to some fairytale stories. Girls around the school may crave the feeling of being homecoming queen. Cinderella got to dance with a man who she had really liked throughout the story.

That special feeling is what some girls crave at this age. After all, everyone wants to be considered special and be recognized as a king or queen of the class. It makes a person stand out and feel good about on were. Young girls may aspire to be a queen even though it is for just one night.

Being crowned homecoming king or queen should not be taken as just a popularity contest, but it is should be viewed as a way to boost school spirit. When someone is crowned homecoming king or queen, it is a moment of inspiration for that person. It may even be a childhood fantasy coming true.