by Ainsley Moore ’24
October 31, 2023
On Saturday, October 7 the auditorium was buzzing with excitement. Student council volunteers and Student Life Committee members were dragging hay bales and rodeo props into the room. For the first time in over a decade, the Fall Dance was in the auditorium and student DJs were mixing the music for the night.
The Fall Dance is planned by the Student Life Committee (SLC), which includes Kari Belle King ‘24, Henry Gatto ‘25, and Alena Ellis ‘25. They did a great job engaging the student body in deciding the theme by hosting a game of musical chairs during an assembly on September 19.
SLC had a month to plan the dance, having to meet at least once a week, to get organized and plan. The week of the dance they used the money from big Student Council to make signs and buy decorations that adhered to the theme. Student Council brought volunteers to the dance who dedicated their time to sell tickets, decorate, and clean up after the event.
The Fall Dance was a showcase for the enthusiasm and talent of both students and organizers. The venue for the dance was shifted to the Durnan Auditorium, which was an improvement from last year’s cafeteria location or 2021’s River Campus outdoor dance. The rodeo theme event got a lot of people excited, and the new venue was a nice change, offering more space for everyone to dance.
Kate Vaughn ‘24, appreciated the changes.
“I enjoyed the music and the decorations. I think it was better than last year’s dance. I liked how it was in the auditorium. It gave it a new vibe.”
Ari Walker ‘27 expressed her excitement, stating, “I got my hat and my boots ready for the dance.”
In addition, SLC veered off the norm by providing pizzas and drinks to dance attendees instead of the typical bare bones candy and snacks..
These offerings were not quite enough for Harper Phillips ‘24, who critiqued the food offerings.
“I would recommend adding desserts,” Phillips said. “But, the pizza was a nice change.”
This year, the music was led by student DJs Thomas Mauries ‘24 and Lincoln Alphin ‘24, instead of a hired DJ. Mauries and Alphin took charge of the music, preparing for upwards of ten hours for the event. Mauries encouraged freshmen to have a good time and immerse themselves in the event.
“Fall Dance is a great opportunity for all students in any grade to enjoy themselves, and I hope to see that this year” Mauries said.
This was only Alphin and Mauries’ first DJ gig, but they showed their skills nonetheless. They selected a variety of songs to play, including country songs, that aligned with the theme rodeo, and showcased their dedication to perfecting their techniques.
Since my freshman year, I’ve attended all the school dances. Sometimes, SLC has hired professional DJs, which has caused some issues. Professional DJs tend to be expensive and may not be receptive to suggestions or feedback. But Mauries and Alphin accepted song requests, engaged with everyone, adhered to the theme, and were budget-friendly. Personally, knowing the DJs made me more excited to participate.
Another recurring issue at our dances has been students leaving early. However, I felt like more people stayed longer this year because the atmosphere was fun and enjoyable, and the dance only lasted two hours, instead of three. Because the DJs are seniors, it was a good example to the underclassmen to not be afraid to try new things, get involved, and attend the dances. Seeing upperclassmen staying, and having a good time is important to have everyone stay longer. It would be nice to continue this tradition for the dances. It will encourage people to attend the dances, stay longer, and be fully engaged.
