Solo for Hoco

What to do if you don’t have a date

Natalie Torres, Guest Contributor

Sep 18, 2024

Homecoming is a huge part of high school culture, and missing out on it can seem like the end of the world. Whether it’s hearing talks of who’s going with whom, pep rallies, or seeing posts about it clog your feed, it can really feel like practically everyone is going except for you. You’re not alone in this feeling. Plenty of people feel the same exact way as you. Homecoming isn’t the end all be all of dances, and there are plenty of things to do instead of going.

Even if you don’t go to Homecoming, there are still plenty of opportunities to go to a formal dance. St. Scholastica holds its own dances in the second semester (Winter Formal, Sweetheart, and Prom) that students can attend, even without a date. Although the SSA dances are in a different semester than homecoming, they are still fun and provide a great opportunity to hang out with friends and get dressed up!

Solo for HOCO

Instead of worrying about homecoming, here are some things you can do that should be just as, if not more, fun!

Have a fun party with your friends! Before parties are great, so why not make them longer! Going out to dinner, brunch or any other place can be fun to do with friends. Also, you could still dress up and go someplace nice with some of your favorite people.
Spend time with family! Plan something fun to do with your whole family, like a day trip or a long visit, to spend time with people who care about you.
See if you have any other fun events you're going to that you can look forward to, like a wedding or any other fancy occasion. Any excuse to get dressed up and have fun dancing is a good excuse; plus, you would be celebrating and uplifting folks close to you by attending!

There are plenty more possibilities you could come up with for things to do instead of worrying about Homecoming, but these are just some idea starters!

According to YouGov.com, only 44% of Americans polled stated that they had attended Homecoming. While to us it seems that everyone is going to homecoming, the data really shows otherwise. It can really sting to miss out on something that seems so important, but ultimately, it is what you make of it. If you aren’t able to go to homecoming, don’t let it worry you. There are plenty more opportunities to spend time with friends, dress up, and have fun, and you don’t need a guy to do any of that!

About the Contributor

Natalie Torres, Staff Reporter

Natalie Torres is a senior at SSA, and this year is her second year working on The Nest. She is a member of every Honor Society (except Latin), and she is a member of many clubs including Art Club, Social Club, Pop Culture Club and The Benedictine Players Club. Her favorite activities outside of school include art, shopping at thrift stores, spending time with her two cats and watching video essays on niche topics.