Popcorn, cotton candy and ice cream galore! FUSA’s 22nd Annual Presidential Ball took place this past Friday night, Sept. 26, on the iconic Bellarmine Lawn overlooking the Long Island Sound. First-years all the way to seniors enjoyed a fun night with their friends, dancing to the DJ mixes and dressing up in formal wear.
As guests entered, they were greeted by FUSA members alongside large popcorn shaped balloons and a red, blue and yellow balloon arch. Inside to the left, there was a huge candy bar filled with Sour Patch Kids, M&Ms, Airheads and more. As attendees walked further into the dance, there was a food bar with the usual finger foods: mac and cheese bites, chicken fingers, buffalo chicken dip, empanadas and chips with dips. The real goods were found after the dance at the ice cream and hot dog food trucks in the parking lot.
Before the night officially began, President Mark Nemec gave a short but sweet speech and danced alongside his wife to “September” by Earth, Wind & Fire. This motivated the crowd to start joining the dance floor.
There were some suspicions leading up to the event. How was the carnival theme going to be executed with a limited amount of space? Despite the theme being creative, the tent overtook the majority of the hill, which did not leave room for additional decorations and activities. Seniors, who have had the opportunity to attend Pres Ball for the last four years, have insights to how themes have been enforced in the past.
Senior Christian Sehlmeyer stated, “I didn’t notice anything pertaining to the carnival scheme. I have never seen Pres Ball fully lean into the theme. Last year, I remember they gave out leis. For the Y2K dance, people wore funky glasses. Through reflecting back on my past Pres Ball experiences, I didn’t see any interesting or different outfits based on the carnival concept.”
Most people wore semi-formal dress wear. Female attendees wore traditional, short “homecoming type” dresses. Popular colors this year were green, red, blue, white and black. Male attendees wore the typical button-up and khaki pants combo. Some went to the extent of wearing suits.
Senior Tim O’Keefe similarly attested, “To be completely honest, I had no idea there was a carnival theme or any theme at all. I didn’t notice anyone dressing close to a carnival aesthetic. I did have a lot of fun and I’ve enjoyed every Pres Ball I’ve gone to in my four years at Fairfield.”
Beyond the bright lights and colorful tents, the music this year has received a plethora of positive reviews. The DJ was dressed in an old-fashioned carnival circus outfit, truly tapping into the vibes. His rhythms ranged from the pop classics such as “You Belong With Me” and “Red” by Taylor Swift to timeless dance songs such as “I Wanna Dance with Somebody” by Whitney Houston and “Don’t Stop Believin’” by Journey.
Sophomore Emily Flynn expressed, “My favorite part was the music. I think the DJ played a lot of good songs (especially the Taylor Swift ones), and made some fun mixes.”
Sophomore Gaby Coppola shared as well, “Pres ball was a fun way to kick off the weekend and bring all four grades together.”
For their first time on the dance floor, first-year students had the chance to meet new people and indulge in one of Fairfield U’s beloved events. First-year Michael Bitalvo said, “I had an amazing time at my first Pres Ball. The lights and music created a lively atmosphere and everyone was dressed up on the dance floor. Leading up to the event, I heard great things and it is definitely a Fairfield tradition that lives up to the hype. I will be attending next year.”
President Courtney Sabogal and Vice President Amaia O’Brien mutually articulated “The Presidential Ball was just as much of a success as in past years; it exceeded our expectations. As our biggest event of the year, it consistently sells out, with just as many students attending this year as in previous years. The Programming Board did a fantastic job selecting the theme and bringing it to life through thoughtful decor and food. The feedback we’ve received from students has been overwhelmingly positive, and we’re so proud of the hard work that went into making the night such a memorable experience.”
Even though the carnival theme was not translated well to attendees, FUSA hosted an unforgettable night at the legendary Bellarmine mansion. First-years, sophomores, juniors and seniors alike had the occasion to congregate and celebrate a cherished Fairfield custom. For seniors, the Presidential Ball was a bittersweet commemoration of their four years at Fairfield. For first-years, it was the marker of their first month in a new town. The night at the carnival was one to remember.