In September 2017, a video from Miami Northwestern Senior High School became the center of public debate across social media and news outlets. The clip, originally uploaded by FlyHeight.com, showed the school’s dance team performing on the sidelines of a football game. What turned a simple halftime routine into a national discussion was the nature of the team’s outfits. The dancers wore glittery blue and black bodysuits, lacy pantyhose with garters, and tall black boots. Their costumes, combined with their choreography, drew strong reactions from both parents and community members who felt that the performance was inappropriate for high school students.
The principal at the time, Wallace Aristide, quickly found himself under scrutiny. In response to the backlash, Aristide issued a public apology and promised that corrective steps would be taken. He emphasized that the school’s leadership took community concerns seriously and that the issue would be reviewed in detail. According to Aristide, the parents of the students involved had approved the costumes before the performance, but he acknowledged that this approval did not excuse the school from ensuring that all public representations of its students reflected the values and expectations of the broader community.
The controversy highlighted a deeper and ongoing discussion about the boundaries of artistic expression, youth performance, and cultural presentation. Some defended the dancers, pointing out that dance as an art form often involves bold costumes and confident movements. Supporters argued that the students should not be shamed for expressing themselves or for performing routines that are standard in many competitive dance environments. They claimed that the reaction stemmed from adults projecting inappropriate interpretations onto the students’ performance.
Critics, on the other hand, argued that regardless of artistic context, a public high school has a duty to maintain a standard of modesty and professionalism. Many expressed concern that the costumes were too revealing for teenagers, especially in a school-sponsored event viewed by families and young children. Others worried that performances like this could send the wrong message about how young women should present themselves. The debate soon reached national audiences, with people from different backgrounds weighing in on the question of who bears responsibility when controversy arises in a school setting.
Principal Aristide’s apology attempted to strike a balance between accountability and understanding. He noted that while parents were involved in approving the costumes, the school ultimately held the responsibility for ensuring that all performances align with its educational mission. He also expressed regret that the situation had overshadowed the students’ hard work and talent. Reports indicated that the school district reviewed the incident to determine whether future performances would need stricter costume guidelines or administrative oversight.
Beyond the immediate controversy, the event sparked a wider conversation about how schools navigate the line between creativity and propriety. High school dance teams often perform routines influenced by professional dance and entertainment culture, which can blur the boundaries of what is considered appropriate for younger performers. Many educators and parents called for clearer policies to prevent similar misunderstandings in the future.
Miami Northwestern Senior High School’s dance team performing on the school’s football field, Photo Credit: NBC4 Columbus
He wrote: “While all the parents of the dancers who participated in the event approved of the attire, we understand the concerns that have been raised and sincerely apologize for any offense this may have caused. Looking ahead, we will implement a more comprehensive and stringent uniform approval process to ensure an appropriate representation of our school.”
The dance routine was also slammed, as it mostly featured hip gyrations and waving fans.
The video showed the team, each girl wearing full makeup and high ponytails, performing as the marching band passed by.
Closeup shot of the dance team’s performance, Photo Credit: NBC4 Columbus
FlyHeight captioned the video: “Is This Appropriate?”
The video got over 18,000 views on the site, and tens of thousands on Facebook.
The video drew mixed reactions from the community.
Closeup shot of the dance team’s performance, Photo Credit: NBC4 Columbus
Speaking to Local10, Miami Northwestern grandmother Debbie Frasier said: “If they’re dancers, they’re entertainers. So if you have the same problem, you have the problem with Beyoncé or young child stars who dress that way on national television.”
However, many slammed the skimpy costumes, and one Facebook user commented: “I think for a high school they totally could have done without the garter belts. its [sic] definitely other ways to jazz up a dance uniform.”
Another wrote: “This is a high school dance team! How in the hell did the adults think this was in the least bit ok?”
