BY KATE OVERBEY
From a quick question to an Instagrammable extravaganza, the method of asking someone to homecoming has certainly changed over the years. Nowadays, it seems homecoming “asks” require more planning and effort than previous generations of students.
The idea of the homecoming football game has been going on in universities and colleges since the 19th century. At Mariemont, or as it was called back in the day, Plainville, a dance was held in the gym after the homecoming football game since 1944.
Girls wore a casual dress or skirt and boys wore casual button-down shirts and shorts.
Principal Dr. James Renner went to his senior homecoming in 1980, his first recollection of a semi-formal homecoming dance. Unlike the public spectacles today, the 80’s Mariemont students asked in a subtler way.
“If you were asking someone you would say something like ‘I’m not asking you, but if I was, would you say yes?’ And if they say ‘no’ then you dodged the embarrassment, but if they say ‘yes,’ then you can say okay I’m asking you then,’” says Renner.
In more recent history, Mr. Mike Hanley, class of 2000, went to his homecoming dances all four years of high school.
“It was in the Commons; everybody still went out. Most people had dates, but everyone still went in groups, and everyone took pictures together beforehand,” says Hanley.
Before cell phone technology and the Homecoming culture that demands a creative “ask”, the process was relatively simple.
“We were actually tough, as opposed to the people these days and actually walked up to the girl and looked them in the eye, and asked them like adults. We didn’t make elaborate signs or anything,” Hanley says.
Junior Stephanie Renner likes the more recent trends that involve a bit more effort. She says “Homecoming asks are well thought out and cleverer than a straightforward question.”
Senior, Corinne Fanta was asked by senior Drew Goheen the day after she got off her crutches with a sign that read “Now that you are back on your feet, will you sweep me off mine at Homecoming?” and a boot full of red roses. Directly before this encounter, Fanta was cleared to run cross country after healing from double stress fractures.
Another aspect of recent Homecoming ‘asks’ is forethought and heavy planning.
According to Goheen, he had it all planned out. “The boys team is making a documentary so I can up with a white lie and told her that instead of doing a final credit slide we are going to have everyone sign their name with a quote. So one day after practice I asked her if should could sign the poster, then I turned it around.” Goheen says.
Days after she said “yes,” Fanta also mentions that Goheen had “two signs in his car, just in case I didn’t get cleared.”
Fanta leaves this advice for current and future high school students: “Don’t stress about it, but if you are a guy be creative about it. Put a little effort into [the ask] because it really makes it more enjoyable but have fun with it.”
