May 2nd was a night many Meridian 8th graders will probably remember for a long time. This year’s semi formal, held in the MAYS Café, gave students a chance to spend time together outside of class before the school year wrapped up. With a black and white theme, the room was filled with decorations, music, photo booths, and students dressed for the occasion.
For many students, the decorations were one of the first things they noticed. “One thing which stood out to me immediately when I first walked into the formal was the decorations,” shared 8th grader Ashton O’Jibway. “They fit the theme so well, and I could really tell the people put so much thought into it.”
The atmosphere throughout the night stayed energetic. Music played almost constantly while groups of students moved between the dance floor, tables, and photo booths. According to Anya Narra, an attendee, “the atmosphere at the dance was amazing. The decorations made the dance lively, and the music really helped everyone come together.”
One part of the formal that stood out to several students was the photo booth area. Friends crowded together for pictures during most of the night, capturing memories with classmates before the end of middle school. Julia Von Kennel, 8th grade, said the booths reflected the spirit of the event because students were “taking pictures with each other, expressing love for all their friends.”
The dance floor became especially crowded once the DJ started playing line dances like the Cupid Shuffle and the Electric Slide. Nearly everyone joined in at some point. “Everyone decided to join in and dance together, bringing energy to the dance floor,” expressed Narra.
The formal also carried more meaning for students because it was one of the last major events the grade will experience together this year. O’Jibway mentioned that “everyone definitely interacted much closer because it was one of our last big events together, making it really memorable.” Another added that students had been excited for weeks beforehand and were “definitely looking forward to that night.”
Many students felt the formal was important because it gave people time to connect with classmates they might not normally spend time with during the school day. One interviewee explained that the event “brought students closer and gave them a chance to spend time together and make new memories.”
The event itself was organized with help from a group of 8th grade volunteers who assisted with planning and preparation. Students also shared ideas for future formals, including allowing students to help choose the theme, activities, and food.
By the end of the night, the formal had turned into more than just a dance: it was one of the final moments for the class of ’29 to celebrate together before moving on to high school.
