Photo Illustration by Dan Leitao
Excitement builds as you walk the long road to Bellarmine Hall. You’re going through a mental checklist in your head; camera, key, Stagcard, ticket, money, etc. Loud music is pulsating from the majestic building ahead of you, and the screams and giggles of other students surround you. Picture with Father von Arx taken, you walk into the giant white tent and are attacked by friends and strobe-lights. It’s time to party!
The Presidential Ball is always a night to remember, unless you drank too much and completely blacked out. (I personally view that as a con, but I suppose it depends on each individual.) Whatever shenanigans were engaged in, there’s at least one moment where you had fun, whether it be the actual dance, taking pictures, pre-gaming or partying hard at the townhouses, beach, or dorms.
What’s good about Prez Ball? For starters, it’s cheap. This year, tickets were $15 instead of $25; any college student would be rejoicing over the money saved. The dress code is also semi-formal which means fancy ball-gowns are not necessary and guys do not have to wear suits, tuxedoes or jackets. Hurray!
The actual President Ball can go either way. Dancing is usually the standard thing to do, and it is lots of fun—especially when you’re on an overcrowded stage trying to maintain balance—unless you don’t like to dance or you’re incapable of dancing. There’s always the option of giving your attention to an intoxicated member of the opposite sex and seeing how the night goes. Pre-gaming beforehand might be fun if
a) you don’t get written up
b) you actually make it to Prez Ball
c) you don’t get sick.
I heard rumors about a girl passed out in her own vomit in the bathroom, and she didn’t even make it to Bellarmine. Good time? Finally there’s the after-party. The beach or townhouses were good places to be; UMOJA dance at the Oak Room, not so much.
There are few cons at Prez Ball—the crowd, the bathrooms, and the lack of tables and food. This year, 1,500 tickets were sold for the night. Whether that many people attended is doubtful, but the dance floor was so overpacked people had to dance on the grass, which is not good for heels. Because there were so many bodies squished against each other—I could barely flail my arms gracefully without whacking someone else—it was ridiculously hot and sweaty. I stepped outside at least twenty times just to cool off. I lost many of the people I showed up with because the mob just sucked people in. I’ve also never been a fan of port-a-potties. Doesn’t Bellarmine have a bathroom? While the food, and by food, I mean dessert, is good, if you show up late, it’s all gone, so hopefully you ate before you left for the ball. The music this year wasn’t that good either; I didn’t recognize any of the songs. And does every dance have to end with that mediocre, overplayed Journey song?
Unless the night ended on a sour note, the Presidential Ball is enjoyed by most of the attendees. It’s an eventful night that students go to year after year because frankly, they love it and have fun. The pros win over the cons, and what better way to spend a night with your friends than the Presidential Ball? So if you missed out, go next year. You’ll see what I’m talking about.
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