What is a semi-formal?

A semi-formal implies a date, the suspenseful moment a student must face his longtime fear, drop down on one knee, and ask, “will you go to the dance with me?”

Freshman Goziem (Geo) Echebiri told me, “I was thinking of going… if I found a date.” I asked other freshman how they felt about semi. They also worried about finding a date, and if they would enjoy watching junior and senior couples crowd the dance floor.

Fear not, freshman—save your worries for prom season, two years down the road, when juniors and seniors do ask each other out. But out semi-formal dance is about fun. No date, no worries.

James Querusio ’17, the Upper School Senate Secretary largely responsible for planning the event, says, “The semi-formal dance should really be called a “semi-casual.” Our James Bond 007-themed semi-formal will occur Jan. 31 from 7-9:30 p.m.

Don’t pull out your hair over what to wear. Black, gold, silver, who can’t pull that off? Students will also enjoy great decorations, tasty food, refreshments and pop music.

“I am very excited, and I would say more excited than ever before for this event,” Querusio says. “It’s a classy, interesting theme, and it’s different. Not every school puts on a James Bond dance.”

Upper School Senate has worked hard to avoid past dance pitfalls. We want you to have the best time possible. Our DJ is hip — just ask around. Jeremy Guevara ’13, a current Holy Cross student and well-respected member of our community, will be making his return on the spinning table. If you have a particular song you want played, click here.

The decorations will be dazzling. A long red carpet will greet you at the door. Relax at the dry bar with a Shirley Temples in a martini glass, and feel free to chat with the bartender.

Buy your tickets in advance to be entered in a raffle. You can find Sam Girioni ’15 and Charlie Li ’17 selling tickets at break. For every additional $5 contribution to Upper School Senate, you will be entered two additional times. Winners will be announced throughout the night, and we have some exciting prizes.

Though our focus is to create a fun, all-inclusive environment, safety is our main priority. Dean of Students Paul Murray, Senate Advisor David Cutler, Spanish teacher Maria Gupta, French teacher Diana Scharrer, Math Department Chair Nancy Bradley, and Middle and Upper School Library Director Megan Dolan will chaperone. A police officer will also be on premises.

Nobody should feel excluded at this event. It’s going to be a blast, and I look forward to seeing you there. Should you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to contact me.