Story and photos by Max Guerrera
Students poured into the Otter Student Union (OSU) Ballroom Friday evening to celebrate the new year and semester at the annual Winter Formal. It was the first Winter Formal in the OSU Ballroom since the COVID-19 pandemic and hundreds of students attended, ready to show off their outfits, dance, socialize and enjoy refreshments and snacks.
Formal attire was encouraged and Otters showed up dressed to impress. Third-year Gianna Constantine spent her time readying for the dance perfecting a glittery makeup look and coming up with an outfit. Her friend, fourth-year Skylar Paras, prepared with a “long nap” which is reasonable for someone who had gotten out of class just a couple hours earlier.
The Associated Students team pulled out all the stops for the official university event, from a photo booth to a cartoonist drawing portraits. The space was embellished with winter themed decorations such as glittering trees next to the stage and dance floor.
Inside the ballroom, students were given free refreshments. The spread included hot chocolate, vegan and barbecue meatballs, cookies, a veggie tray and chicken satay skewers which ran out soon after the event started.
The local producer DJ Khosmo entertained the crowd on a stage surrounded by flashing lights. He played different songs for everyone, from Despacito to Party in the USA. While she waited in line for the photobooth, third-year Sydney said she had been looking forward to dancing with friends and hoped to hear a song by Taylor Swift. Her wish came true and later that night DJ Khosmo played “Shake It Off.”
The first campus social event of the semester ended at 11 p.m. as students began to walk back to their dorms tired but satisfied after dancing the night away.
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