By Danielle Cortes, Staff Writer
“We’re late! We’re late! For a very important date!”
This year Saint Leo University held its annual Winter Formal dance on Saturday, Dec. 1, 2012, at the Hilton Hotel in Tampa. This year’s theme was Alice in Wonderland. The dance featured oversized teacups as centerpieces, the Cheshire Cat’s mischievous smile on the wall, and wonderful colors all around the room. As most campus activities functions begin, the students were picked up in coach buses at Campus Safety and shuttled to the destination.
The dance featured a live DJ and two open cash bars. Upon arriving at the hotel, all students 21 and up had their ID checked and were given a pink bracelet to let the bartenders know they were able to buy drinks. The dance took up three ballrooms, had a fair-sized dance floor, and comfortably seated roughly 240 students. Many students and staff enjoyed the evening dancing away to popular party hits such as “The Wobble.”
Not too long after arrival, guests were able to enjoy a wonderful sit-down diner which included a salad and an entree of chicken, steak, mashed potatoes, and green beans. After dinner was finished, the guests were invited to a lovely dessert display of several different kinds of cheesecakes, mini cupcakes, and a chocolate log. As usual for dance functions with the University, the guests were also provided with the opportunity to have their photos taken with their dates and friends by the Rising Star photography business.
“As a senior, I’m glad to see that Campus Activities Board still throws a wonderful formal for us students,” says Senior Marquessa Hodge.
For some, it is difficult to conceive having a function that includes transportation, music, and good food for only ten dollars. This was no disappointment.
“I was pleasantly surprised by how well this function came out considering how little we had to pay out of pocket,”, says Freshman Raisa Alstodt.
While there were many initial complaints of the amount of time it took for the buses to arrive, the night turned out for the best. It was a wonderful way to let the students and the staff blow off some steam and enjoy a night out with peers after a long semester. It was also a wonderful way to begin the holiday season and end the semester in good spirits.
