Saint Mary's women will pack the Gillespie Center at the Hilton Garden Inn on the Saint Mary's campus from 8 p.m. to midnight for the annual all-school formal Friday.
Freshman Lauren Wells, Residence Hall Association (RHA) 2013 formal chair, said this year's dance theme is the "Phantom of the Opera."
"[The committee] chose this theme because of the grand elegance and romanticism that surrounds a beautiful love story like that of 'Phantom of the Opera,'" Wells said.
Guests can expect a simple yet classic theme, which will include colors such as black, gold, red and white, Wells said.
Wells said she was selected as the formal chair in September and her committee has been planning since November. She said the most challenging, time-consuming part of the planning process was organizing all the logistical details of a huge event: everything from a security detail to finding decorations and picking out the menu.
"Although I will be working most of the formal, my enjoyment and satisfaction will directly come from the positive reactions and complements of our guests," Wells said. "All I want is for our students to have a phenomenal experience."
Residence Hall Association president Sarah Copi said the committee was pleased with the choice of venue. "We, as [the] RHA, are really excited about the new venue and we are very proud of all the hard work Lauren and her committee have put in for this event," Copi said.
Wells said Belles look forward to the Saint Mary's formal because it offers them a chance to celebrate with their classmates.
"There is something about a Saint Mary's formal that is so different than any other dances/formals of its type," Wells said. "Knowing the fact that all your girlfriends are always there for you to have a good time definitely makes people more interested and excited to attend this formal."Junior Kathleen Sullivan said she could not imagine missing the event.
"My philosophy is, I have four years to go to formals with my best friends. Why wouldn't I go?" Sullivan said. "I think it was a really good idea to have it at the Hilton Garden Inn because it's really convenient for all students."
Junior Erica Chiarello said her date is traveling from West Virginia to attend.
"I'm really looking forward to hanging out with my friends and having a great time," she said. "I'm also excited to have a friend from home coming to visit."
Junior Katherine Kautz said this will be her first formal after spending time studying abroad.
"I'm excited to see all of the dresses girls decide to wear, especially since it's red carpet season," Kautz said.
Tickets are available for purchase from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. in the Student Center atrium today. The cost is $15 per person or $30 per couple.
Contact Meaghan Daly at mdaly01@saintmarys.edu
