This past Saturday, March 29, the annual Junior-Senior Formal took place at Limestone Hall in Lexington, Ky. The formal is a longstanding tradition at Asbury, rooted in the decades-long custom of a gift from the junior class to the senior class. Only in recent years has it developed into a dance, consistent each spring.
“The junior class cabinet and our class advisors have worked really hard on it,” said junior class president Sara Gantz before the formal. “I think it’s going to be really nice, and I hope the senior class appreciates it.” The cabinet had been working on planning the formal since this past May, talking with venues and trying to come up with themes, which they eventually decided on a masquerade. Masks were provided on a first-come, first-serve basis at the front table.
As the dance is a part of the junior’s gift to the seniors, tickets for all seniors were completely free, though juniors had to pay $20 per ticket, including for non-Asbury guests.
Nearly 400 students and guests attended on Saturday night, spreading out over the third floor of the historic Lexington courthouse. In the central and iconic room of Limestone Hall with the glass floor, mocktails were served and guests milled about, including university President Kevin Brown, his wife Maria Brown and Vice President of Student Life Sarah Baldwin.
In one of the other rooms, two long rows of tables lined the room, decorated with table runners, candles and greenery. Two large spreads of charcuterie and barbecued pork were provided, along with desserts like macarons.
The dance floor, which was in the third room on the floor, was lit only by colorful lights placed around the perimeter of the room. The DJ was placed in the front of the crowd and often had a group of jumping students in front of him. Though a few slow songs were played, pointed towards couples, according to the DJ, the songs were predominantly upbeat pop and rap, including staples like “Not Like Us” by Kendrick Lamar and “Dancing Queen” by ABBA.
“I liked how you could scan a QR code and submit song suggestions,” said senior Levi Smith. This was his first time at a Junior/Senior dance, which he reflected to be a good time to hang out with his friends before graduation.
“I think it was very memorable,” junior Victoria Laudermilk said. “I’m looking forward to the next one, for sure. I think the crew who put it all together did an absolutely fantastic job.”
Gantz also noted the impact of the co-activity directors on the cabinet, Mikaela West and Sam Omer, as well as the class publicist, Kennedy Roberge, in the planning and execution of the event, dubbing them “the dream team.” Gantz shared that there was a concern regarding the masquerade theme coming off as tacky, but the general consensus at the formal was that it was a beautiful event.
Photo courtesy of Macy Carmony.
