On Saturday, February 4, Heritage Hall Pep Club put on its annual semi-formal student dance in the Upper School Reynolds Common. Each year, this girls-ask-guys dance has a unique theme; this year, dance organizers brought the spirit of New Orleans and Mardi Gras to Heritage Hall, making for a fun atmosphere and evening for all!

Both the individual class dinners and dance flaunted bright colors, bead necklaces, and wacky Mardi Gras masks. Walking into the Common, one immediately felt transported to Bourbon Street in New Orleans. The Mardi Gras theme was perfectly represented by decorations, with purple and gold cardboard jesters, brightly-colored masquerade masks, and colorful lights scattered about. Some students even chose to celebrate the theme with wildly patterned suits, including United Kingdom flags, Pac-Man, and bright red plaid.

A yearly highlight of the dance is the crowning of the Pep Club Belle and Beau. Nominations to the court are based on overall enthusiasm, school spirit, history of bettering the community, and leadership. This year’s candidates were Milly Bock, McKenzie Carlin, Foster Counts, Sawyer Counts, Makenzi English, Sam Kakish, Dylan Sparkman, Roman Phansalkar, Eleanor Rainbolt-Forbes, and Abbie Winchester. During the dance, thunderous applause ensued when Eleanor Rainbolt-Forbes and Sam Kakish were announced as the 2017 Belle and Beau.

As always, Pep Club did a spectacular job making this a memorable night. Thanks to everyone involved with the preparations, and to everyone who came and made it a fantastic night on the dance floor. I’m already looking forward to next year!