The Annual Moonlight Harvest dance fell on October 13th, 2018 this year and took place at Golden West High School from 8pm to 11pm. Students take advantage of this night by getting ready and dress nice, go out to dinner, take pictures, and dance the night away. That’s the usual routine for couples and groups. So ultimately, is it worth it (all the money, time, hassle) and is it even about the DANCE?
Students prepare their dates, “proposals,” plan their dinner venue, picture setting, transportation, and coordinating outfits far in advance and some even last minute.
For seniors, this was their last Harvest and altogether their last year of dances so usually, they tend to enjoy all the memories and take advantage of most or even all opportunities to go.
Tyler DeAsis, ’19, said, “I plan to go to all of them because it’s my senior year, I loved the fact that my friends were in my group I enjoy the idea of dressing up and being able to take really great pictures, it’s also a great way to meet people.”
Kylee Dismuke, ’19, described her night to me: “Harvest was really fun with my small group of close friends and I for sure plan to go to prom.I always like dancing so it was a fun part too along with dressing up and hanging out with them.”
For freshmen including Nate Bettencourt, ’22, and Shelby Wisehart, ’22, this was the first experience they had with high school dances. Bettencourt said, “It was fun just really crowded at the dance itself, I liked just overall getting to be around friends and spend time with them, I liked both the idea of dressing up but there just needs to be more space for dancing.”
Wisehart pitched in, “I loved my first high school dance because I’ve been wanting to go to one for years! Overall, I liked how big my group was and that I finally got to be a part of the action, I enjoyed both going to the dance and having a good time and also the whole idea of dressing up and hanging out with friends.”
The money for Harvest can slowly start adding up to a pretty good sized bill by the end and if you plan on going to multiple dances throughout high school, well, good luck charlie. From dinner prices to dress/ tux prices to dance ticket prices to makeup/ nail/ hair prices, it seems like so much money for just ONE night.
DeAsis said, “I didn’t spend as much as I expected but it was still worth it because I had a great time making a bunch of new memories.” Wisehart added, “I spent a lot of money on the dress, appointments, make up, and hair but I thought it was totally worth it. It was my first dance so I might as well go big or go home!”
Surprisingly or as most people know, people don’t even go to the dances. They use the day to fancy themselves, have fun with their friends and group but some just skip out on the dance altogether.
Jusmen Kahlon, ’20, said on behalf of his night in general, “I enjoyed everything, from dressing up, to hanging out with friends, taking photos, and going to the dance in one big happy group, and the overall theme for the dance was really cool.”
Riley Bramble, ’21, described her Harvest night, “The pictures were my favorite because I love dressing up, seeing everybody all cute but the dance was fun too. I had more fun this year than last but hanging out with my friends was probably the best. I plan to go to more because they’re a fun way to make memories, get opportunities to hang out and get closer to people you don’t normally talk or hang out with.”
Students enjoy taking pictures and going to dinner with their group as part of the “set” plan for the night. Some examples of “plans” were:
Kahlon- “The guys and I picked up our dates, went to Vossler Farms to take pics, went to dinner at Fugazzi’s, then to the dance.”
DeAsis- “Took pictures at 4-5, got on a party bus, went to Fresno, ate at BJ’s, then drove back and someone in our group threw a party.”
Wisehart- “I was in charge of our 26 person group, we took pictures at the country club, went to my house for dinner, went to dance for a few hours, then back to my house for an after-party.”
Bramble- “Went to Sara’s barn around 5 to take pics (which was hard because a lot of us girls had sports before), got Fugazzi’s catered to us, hung out for about an hour then went to the dance for an hour then went to Ashley’s until 12 listening to music, watching movies, and hanging out. Then a few of us girls had a sleepover.”
It serves as a great experience with memories and fun for couples and groups but what do those who aren’t going doing with their Saturday afternoon- night? Sports, Band, or just chilling with a few friends that all decide not to go are the moves for many students also.
Redwood’s Band went to a review at Washington Union High School in Fresno and ended up taking 1st place. Students were a bit upset with the fact that they had to miss the first dance of the year but they still tried to make the most of it at their competition. Lionel Inhphom’s, ’21, thoughts on this were, “It sucks a lot…like a lot a lot, It made me jealous because it was all over social media and all my friends were talking about how much FUN they had.”
Overall, the majority of people who participated in Harvest or hung out on their own with friends, it seemed to be a successful Saturday night and a time to enjoy the weekend!
Tags: band, country club, dates, dinner, friends, golden west high school, Harvest Dance, harvest moonlight dance, pictures, Redwood, redwood band, redwood high school, redwood rangers