Dancing Into Spring

17 May 2025Pearl N, Hope ‘25

The week leading up to Spring Formal wasn’t exactly glamorous. The library was packed every night, and every conversation seemed to circle back to AP exams or looming deadlines. Students were tired, living off of McNeill’s coffees, spending every spare minute studying, and counting down the days until the upcoming midterm break. 

However, amidst this difficult time, lay a shared excitement for Spring Formal. It gave everyone something to look forward to, a night to forget about school stress and just have fun with friends.

By 7 pm, the venue transformed as students arrived looking spectacular in their formal wear. The atmosphere buzzed with excitement as students moved between the dance floor and various gaming tables featuring blackjack and poker. “Spring Formal 2025 featured fantastic food, unforgettable fashion,” remarked Ms Ramsay, the Assistant Houseparent of Whittall and event coordinator. “It was a beautifully executed evening that brought everyone together.” Throughout the night, lucky raffle winners claimed prizes like McNeill’s gift cards and coveted sleep-in vouchers, while everyone indulged at lavishly arranged refreshment tables which had macarons, chocolate-dipped strawberries, and cupcakes.

My hands-down favourite part of the night came before any of the music or dancing. It was getting ready in the boarding house, surrounded by friends. Music was blasting from speakers, straighteners were heating up on every desk, and people were rushing in and out of rooms borrowing mascara, earrings, or nail polish. We packed into each other’s rooms, helping with makeup, fixing hair, and figuring out outfits. Everyone was laughing, joking around, and singing loudly without worrying about upcoming exams. There was something special about the way we all came together: it felt so fun and easy. In those moments together, it becomes vividly clear how close we’ve become and how lucky we are to live with people who feel more like family than classmates.

None of it would have come together without Ms Ramsay, our SAC Sponsor. She was the one behind the scenes, organizing, planning, checking every detail, and making sure everything ran smoothly. From bringing the theme alive to coordinating the food and arranging the prizes, she dedicated countless hours to creating a night we wouldn’t forget. Her work’s impact was clear from the moment we walked into the transformed space. 

“Ms. Ramsay went above and beyond for us,” said Lily A, Hope ‘26. “You could tell how much care and time she put into every part of the night. It honestly wouldn’t have been the same without her.”

For the seniors, this was it. Only four more brunches. Only twenty-four more academic days. Only thirty-four more sleeps. This was our last Spring Formal, our final chance to walk into Crooks Hall dressed up with our friends, our last evening to dance beneath those familiar lights, in a space that has carried memories and laughter. 

The night felt different from the year prior. It was joyful, yet it was emotional. It reiterated the ephemeral nature of high school, that our time here is not endless. In the grandeur of it all, many of us began to reflect, not only on the friendships we have made or the moments we have shared, but on the people we have grown into. 

“This is one of the last times we all will be together like this, and I cannot help but want to hold onto it for a little longer,” said Karter P, Privett ‘25. While this year’s graduates are excited for what the future holds, we mourn the closing of this chapter of our lives and the fact that we will have to say goodbye.

Pearl N, Hope ‘25