OPED: DHS needs to put students’ academic future in front of boogying

Ellen Finn,
Bluedevilhub.com Staff–

Davis High is holding a casual dance for students of all grades called “Morp” on Oct. 10. A huge number of potential Morp attendees, however, are taking one of the most important tests in all of high school, the SAT, bright and early the following morning. The dance lasts until 11 p.m., late enough that anxious test takers will skip it to go to bed on time.

Dance attendance has certainly been at a low over the past few years. Many students simply don’t have time or aren’t interested. The fact that the SAT is the following morning brings up another interesting point: perhaps student government has not been scheduling dances on appropriate dates to gain the numbers they’re likely hoping for.

While I’m all for the school providing fun social events for its students, it is ridiculous to expect them to choose between a dance and their academic futures. The district’s number one goal should be to prepare teens for a successful future. By promoting a dance that is directly before many seniors’ last SAT chance, the district is violating that goal.

According to Nemours Teen Health, students need eight or more hours of sleep at least two days before a big test to do as well as possible. Any SAT-taker would skip out on Morp, even if a student rushed home right after the dance and slept as late as possible the next day. The maximum number of hours they could get before the test is six hours. I doubt I’m alone when I say I’d rather not risk it.

DHS only has about three or four dances per year, and Morp is unique in that it is casual and features a live band and student DJ. Student Government and the school must stop putting academics behind fun events. I argue that students who are facing large tests and academic trials not only should be able to go to these fun events, but also deserve to let off the some steam. Why could we not have put the dance the night after the big test? This way at least those who aren’t too tired from their test day can shake off their post-test jitters on the dance floor.

Seniors should be encouraged to participate in as many school spirited events during their last year of high school as they can. In the future, DHS should consider making these events as accessible to everyone as possible.