Lights flash. Cameras shutter. The red carpet is rolled out. The stage is set for the highlight event of the school year so far: 2023 Semi-Formal! With the announcement of the theme of this year’s Semi-Formal about a month prior to the event, anticipation had built to a high. Last year’s Semi-Formal was a huge success and this year was all of that and more. Students and faculty gathered at Chandni Banquet Hall on December 7th 2023, ready for a night of music, food and celebration with their friends. The gates opened at roughly 6:00 P.M. and with everyone dressed to the nines, the night was sure to be a box office hit.
The event brought the grandeur and magnificence of the Oscars to a not-so-normal night for the students of North Park, brought to fruition by the hard work and planning of our very own Student Activity Council and associated staff. The hours of meticulous planning that went into this night were clear to see in the immense attention to detail present in the decor, and is the reason this year’s semi formal was able to transcend the mark of a typical school dance. This Semi-Formal truly created an environment for friendships to grow stronger and lifelong memories to be created.
To add a unique yet theme-appropriate twist to this year’s semi-formal, awards in the form of mini Oscar-replica statuettes were given to the victors of various games and activities played at the event. These ranged from guessing songs by listening to the first few seconds to the party classic, musical chairs. These activities, although only a small part of the event, added an extra layer of realism and excitement to the dance.
What is a night out at the Oscars without some delicious food? The menu at this year’s semi formal displayed a wide variety of options to encompass any dietary restrictions people may have. Some of the crowd favorites included pasta with marinara, chicken tikka, and spring rolls. Although, with many sides such as various salads, potato wedges and more, many guests expressed desire for more vegetarian and vegan options. A drink bar was also offered at no additional cost to the guests, with various carbonated beverages, fruit juices and coffee offered as alternatives to water.
And with that, it was time for the main event: the dance itself. The lights were dimmed as the live DJ began playing some crowd favorites. The night was filled with a wide selection of songs from contemporary hits to classics from decades prior to hit just the right notes of nostalgia. Some notable artists from the night included Travis Scott, Taylor Swift, Drake and so many more as the crowds roared with each and every song. Numerous Punjabi and Caribbean songs were also included and gave the event a cultural touch. The DJ left his mark with clever mixes and transitions leaving even the biggest music fans with a new unique taste of the songs they love. With notable tracks and songs played upon request, the music really proved to be the highlight of the night.
To capture the magic of the movies, the event featured a photo booth located near the entrance of the hall with various thematic backdrops allowing the attendees to experiment and have fun while immortalizing the memories they created that night. The event also hosted a rotating camera platform to create fun short-form videos attached to music, a format popularized by TikTok and commonly used by athletes and sports broadcasts.
A night nothing short of cinematic perfection, one to remember for years to come. The dance was an unforgettable spectacle from the exciting and competitive games to screaming songs at the top of your lungs with your friends, from enjoying delicious foods to capturing special moments in time to look back and smile upon, this night encapsulated the magic of the movies and left a mark on all our lives. A moment in time to appreciate the celebration of glamour and glitz that brings all of us closer together and knits the North Park community with a stronger yarn.
THE NORTH STAR 