NightGlow is like a premier of a brand new movie. No one really knows if it will sink or swim. It is a huge risk with major embarrassment at stake.

Since the start of this semester, my Twitter feed and facebook page have been filled with one thing: NightGlow.

While walking through the halls, I can pretty much guarantee I will hear the typical dialogue:

“Hey are you going to NightGlow?”

“Eh, probably. You?”

“Probably.”

Most people are unsure if they will see a new movie until they hear some reviews. It’s the same with NightGlow. People don’t want to go until they hear how it is, then they will go the next year. This is an important concept for StuCo to keep in mind if NightGlow seems to be well received but numbers are still low.

I seriously have heard this conversation muttered in the halls at least 10 times ever since the new semester started.

So I asked myself, “What is all the hype over NightGlow?”

For starters, it’s unlike anything EHS has ever done.  NightGlow is this year’s form of a winter dance. Last year, we had a turnabout where girls asked boys, and the year before we had a typical dance.

It’s like editing the movie. StuCo will have to keep making adjustments until they get it right.

A member of StuCo since my freshman year, I am quite familiar with the winter dance dilemma. Throughout the years, numbers for the winter dance have been lower than any other dance. Trying different forms of a dance every year has been StuCo’s effort to get numbers up. Rather than scrapping the dance entirely, StuCo decided to go in a new direction with the dance this year. Once the school year started, StuCo started planning how to make this year’s dance a success.

NightGlow is being called a mixer. I do not agree with this terminology because a mixer is when two schools “mix,” and for NightGlow guest forms are still required to bring someone from another school. These guest forms are the only major downside I see to the entire NightGlow event, which I know are unavoidable because the school has to know who will all be at the event.

I understand why it has been called a mixer, though. It is an extremely casual dance and having a date is not required, much like a mixer. Unlike a standard dance, there will also be no court at NightGlow

If executed correctly, NightGlow will be fun because there are student DJs. This opportunity for students to be involved in actively determining the music will enhance the mixer experience because students know what other students want to hear.

Student DJs also present a risk, like casting a no name actor as the star of a major motion picture. It’s risky, but has the chance of reeling in success for both the actor and the movie. Having student DJs has the chance for success for not only the dance itself, but also the DJs.

Another upside to NightGlow is–unlike other dances–single tickets can be purchased at the door. Students who are not sure if they will be able to make it can decide last minute if they want to go, which will make numbers go way up.

The other genius idea about NightGlow is having it after a home basketball game so the turn out for the basketball game will show school support.

I’ll come clean here. I have not decided if I will attend NightGlow.

Some of my friends are going, but I am waiting to hear how many of my friends will actually go.

I will probably end up going. My mindset has always been it’s worth a shot to try something new because–just like a movie that is a let down–if it isn’t fun, I can always leave, especially since the tickets are only $5 at the door, I see no reason to not give it a try.