The dreary month of February begins, and celebrities fill the classrooms at Rutherford B. Hayes High School, from Dolly Parton to The Notorious B.I.G.
The cutouts decorating the school stand in order to bring attention to the upcoming Dance Through the Decades, Hayes’ recently created winter dance. The dance is held partially as a fundraiser for the hosting group, the Hayes Cinematics class.
Originally held in 2020, the dance was initially unable to return as a result of pandemic conditions, but was able to make its return in 2024, and is now being held again for 2025.
“We’re starting new traditions,” junior and Hayes Cinematics member Micah Giorgi said. “And we want [students] to be a part of it.”
Previously, Hayes was home to only two annual dances: homecoming and prom, with the latter being unavailable to underclassmen. The Dance Through the Decades intends to be part of a solution to that.
“It [made] me sad that students [didn’t] have more chances to make high school memories,” Hayes Cinematics adviser Tom Hering said.
Unlike the other two dances held throughout the year, the Dance Through the Decades is a casual setting, held in the auxiliary gym rather than at a special venue. Students are encouraged to dress simply as their favorite decade, whether that be the 1680s or the 2020s.
“Cinematics […] came up with this idea to have a dance that wouldn’t require people to go get their hair done […] or go out to a fancy dinner,” Hering said. “They could just get their friends in a car [and] throw on some clothes that might be themed for a certain decade.”
Similarly, the decor and structure of the dance reflects the more relaxed air; the gym is filled with balloons and streamers; the music follows the passage of time, starting with songs from the 60s at the opening and ending with those from the modern era. The event isn’t for showing off, but simply for having a good time.
The biggest struggle for an up and coming dance, however, is making sure that there are enough dancers. Many students disregard the event because of the casual setting and its less well-known nature. It’s regarded as inferior to the well-established functions held throughout the year.
Nevertheless, for every problem, there is a solution. Most famous are the standees, rotated by Cinematics students every day during fifth period, starting weeks prior to the dance. Each depicts a celebrity from one of the eras the dance represents (‘60s to now) in a near or life-size image.
“I love those standees like my unborn children,” senior and Hayes Cinematics member Keira Talbott said. “It’s our system and it works!”
All in all, the dance is a new experience for many of Hayes’ students. In time, it may become one of the staples of the school year, just like the other dances.
“I don’t want people to ask ‘Are you going to the dance?’” Giorgi said. “I want them to ask ‘What are you wearing?’ or ‘Who are you going with?’”
Starting a new tradition is no easy task, but the cinematics team, now backed by Student Council, are ready to make a stand for the “lame” dance, according to Talbott.
“We’re really just trying to […] build this new tradition,” Hering said. “We’re hopeful that students can take a risk and [attend].”