Left to right: Juniors Sawyer Adams, Kaden Pratt, Nathan Serrano and Thomas Dillard dance the night away at the Sadie Hawkins dance in the cafeteria on Feb. 9, 2024. Photo used with permission from Nathan Serrano.

Ocean Lakes’ Class of 2024 hosted their first ever Sadie Hawkins-themed dance.

This tradition is a twist on the normal way dates are asked by encouraging the girls to ask the boys to the dance, instead of the other way around.

American cartoonist Al Capp created a comic strip titled “Li’l Abner,” which sparked the creation of this American folk event on November 15, 1937. In the comic, Sadie’s father was concerned she wouldn’t find a suitable husband; therefore, he created a day to give his daughter an opportunity to pick who she desires. 

¨For many, Sadie Hawkins has a warm, nostalgic feeling and we wanted to make it a feeling here at Ocean Lakes,¨ said class sponsor Thomas Stewart.

The dance was held in the cafeteria on February 9, 2024. Students had the opportunity to purchase a classic ticket for $15 or append an additional two dollars for a paper invite and a pair of sunglasses for their perspective date. 

“I joked to my friend asking how guys do this on a daily because the experience was so nerve-racking for sure. It was a fun way to understand how guys feel when they ask their partner out,” said sophomore Kaydyn Ismail.

According to the class of 2024, they are now financially secure. So, they used the money they previously made from car washes and casholas to pay for security, a DJ and decorations.