Following caution tapes and warning signs, Dreyfoos students were lured into a haunting night, entering the cafeteria where white and red stripes lined the walls, Halloween props were on display, and music blasted while students danced, with multicolored lights flashing. The Fall Dance, held by the Student Government Association (SGA) each year, offered a thrilling experience for attendees.
The school’s “Haunted Carnival” themed Fall Dance was held Oct. 16 from 6 to 10 p.m. and, for the first time, featured inflatable attractions. The actual dance took place inside the school cafeteria, where a DJ played songs throughout the night. Popcorn, pizza, snacks, and soda were distributed by parent volunteers for all students to have.
“The best part was probably the refreshments, like the cotton candy and all that stuff,” visual sophomore Aliyah Bassett said.
On the field, students lined up for inflatable activities like “Warp-Speed Arena,” a competition between two people who were assigned different colored lights, with the winner being the one who hit the most lights. Students also tested their skills and agility with the inflatable obstacle course “The Adrenaline Rush.” By completing challenges in the attractions, students could win tickets and spend them on prizes, such as fidgets, plastic sunglasses, glowing toy balls, and more.
“What I enjoyed about the fall dance is how they had the carnival games this year, which was also on theme, so it was a nice little touch,” communications sophomore Arianna Exclusa said after the dance. “It was fun to be able to not only play them, but win tickets and be able to actually use them to buy rewards.”
SGA co-president and vocal senior Beau McDowell said that he thought the dance went well and that students had enjoyed the inflatable activities. When asked about plans for future dances, he said, “If I had to guess, it will be renting more inflatables.”
Strings sophomore Angus Murphy, the SGA co-material manager, explained that the school was able to purchase the attractions by “coming in contact with inflatable companies” and through parent volunteers buying items from the SGA Amazon wish list. In the end, the inflatables totaled around $4,000, according to SGA co-treasurer and vocal senior Jack Meller.
“I think they’re (the inflatables are) really fun,” Meller said with a smile. “A lot of people are doing them. I think next year (they) might try to do even more inflatables because it gives more opportunity for the students to have, but I think it’s very fun, and I enjoy it.”
