Couples will don cowboy boots, flannel shirts and belt buckles for the western-themed Sadie Hawkins dance organized by the student leadership class, March 7. The traditional girls-ask-guys event will run from 6 to 10 p.m. in a scarlet barn at Quist Dairy, off of Jensen Avenue and Polk Avenue. Tickets cost $35 per person.

The traditional Sadie Hawkins event, originated in 1937 in a comic strip called “Li’l Abner,” has continued as a way to mix up school-oriented social events, with girls inviting guys. The campus version forgoes a punch-bowl style dance for an interactive event that changes each year.

The main activity this year will consist of line dancing and square dancing taught by a professional caller, while the outside of the barn will feature a mechanical bull and a scavenger hunt. The Meat Market will provide barbecue sandwiches for dinner.

“After carefully taking any ideas and voting, we decided on the western theme, but we’re not yet sure what the name of the theme will be,” junior Tatiana Fontes, student leadership member, said. “Usually dates dress up similarly, but if students want to be more outgoing this year, I would go for the theme, with the boots, bandanas, long-sleeved shirts and hats.”

Last year, Sadies chose a dynamic duo theme for which many attendees dressed as superheroes or cartoon characters. The event focused on bowling and was held at Cedar Lanes.

As a sophomore, Zach Ragan looks toward his second year at Sadies but hopes for an improved experience.

“I hope it’s better than last year, because last year had a superhero theme. We went bowling, and it was kind of boring,” Ragan said. “My date had a Build-A-Bear made that when I squeezed it, it asked me to Sadies. I was surprised at first, but then when the bear finished talking I was cool.”

After the Night of the Stars formal, many girls began seeking dates for Sadies. Freshman Cooper Belmont feels privileged to have been asked to the event by a senior, he said.

“I got asked by Natalie McCallum, and I’m glad that she asked me because we’re really good friends,” Belmont said. “I was surprised, but because of all the gossip, I kind of knew [she would ask me].”

The pair has discussed plans for costumes, which will consist of matching plaid shirts and cowboy hats, Belmont said.

“I think it’s going to be really fun, but I’ve never been a fan of cowboys,” Belmont said.

While some students look forward to Sadies, others dislike the theme and feel the tickets are overpriced. As a remedy for these issues, sophomore Kelsey Morgan plans to skip the event and have a small party with some friends, she said.

“The theme is dumb and it’s also expensive, it’s ridonculous and pointless,” Morgan said. “Last year I went to another Sadies at another school instead, but this year I am just going to have a little party at [a friend’s] house.”

For more information on Sadie Hawkins, e-mail leadership advisers Aaron Bryan or Katie Mendenhall.