On a sunny day in mid-March, students and faculty all gather around the Centennial Field, excited to see what the WSC dorm residents have been preparing for the past two weeks. Loud and hyped music accompanies the passionate dancers’ performances; clusters of friends gather, sit on the soft grass, and cheer for their boarder friends.  

Webb Idol has been a long-lasting tradition of Webb, beginning and persisting with only the WSC dorms. Each year, dancers who performed in the Winter Dance Show are invited to choreograph for the boys. This tradition has an interesting story of origin — it rooted from a prank by several WSC students.  

“It was a dance party that a few WSC students managed pull off in front of the school back when they were a lot less reserved,” said Victor Li (‘26), WSC prefect. “The boys started dancing around and taking their clothes off.”  

Throughout the years, Webb idol has evolved into a more interactive school-wide event. Last year, as part of the one-school model that Webb has been executing, the VWS dorms joined the event. Webb Idol, undergoing this dramatic transformation, also turned from mandatory for all WSC boarding students to voluntary-based participation. Such changes evoked different feelings for students at Webb.  

“We actually had a talk about this during one of our prefect meetings,” Victor said. “I actually agree with making Webb Idol mandatory for all freshmen, since I was able to know my dormmates a lot better and collaborate and work with them during my freshman year by joining Webb Idol.”  

“But even without the mandatory rule, dorm spirits have tightened our bond and encouraged many to join the practice,” Victor said, “so the required participation seems less important.”  

“We have enough people participating that I feel it would be fine even if we don’t make it mandatory,” Victor said.  

In terms of the co-ed performance, however, the prefect groups decided that this year’s Webb Idol is going back to WSC dorms only, as it was before last year’s change. In making this decision, there comes different opinions and reactions, as many think the joining of VWS dorms was a positive change for Webb Idol.  

“Of course, I would prefer that VWS dorms have the option to join in,” Victor said. “I think with more dorms participating, there would be more of a show. You would have the boys maybe a little less serious and having fun, and then maybe on the VWS side, we would have some more talented dancers show us a well-choreographed dance show.” 

Choreographers from VWS also wish for a chance to participate in Webb Idol with their dorm members outside of teaching the dances.  

“With VWS students joining, Webb Idol is definitely more inclusive,” said Christina Young (‘25), a past choreographer for Webb Idol. “This way, girls get more recognition, and that’s what we want. It’s nice to have that opportunity for girls to also do it.”  

“I think when VWS and WSC dorms are combined, it is more inclusive and more appealing,” said Aurora Deng (‘26), choreographer for North Hutch last year. “Last year was my favorite.”  

Nonetheless, Webb Idol is an event that brought WSC dorm residents together and built a bond between those new to dorm life. It has always been something to look forward to during the middle of a long semester, as seeing great friends dance and perform is a relaxing and joyful experience.  

“I’m really excited for this year’s Webb Idol event, and we are putting in as much effort as we can to put on a great show!” Victor said.