Waynesburg University’s Student Activities Board has prepared its Spring Semi Formal for students to enjoy on Friday, April 8, from 7-11 p.m. at the Lakeside Venues in  McClellandtown, Pennsylvania. Tickets cost $20 for each person attending the event. 

Pat Bristor, Waynesburg’s associate dean of students, was in charge of the Spring Semi Formal. However, according to Bristor, her three graduate assistants, Essence Suggs, Megan McElligott and Sophia Hicks are taking responsibility for the event.

“I booked [the event] and took care of booking the location and the DJ and photo booth and food and all that, but they’re the ones working on it,” Bristor said. 

In addition to describing the planning process, Bristor also emphasized that it’s not too late to sign up.

“Students can still register until [March] 31 to go,” she said.

Students can sign up through a form on myConnect, and they must create a separate form for a non-student date. Students will have to pay $20 for themselves and $20 for their date. No physical or online ticket will be given; instead, Bristor said, “We’ll have a sign-in sheet that we’ll check their name on when they arrive.” 

Students will also not have to preorder food. According to Bristor, it’s a buffet.

“There will … be a fish option – tilapia – for those who are observing Lent,” Bristor said. 

There will also be two meat options as well as baked ziti. 

Students are allowed to drive themselves, but a Waynesburg bus will leave from Miller at 6:15 p.m. to take students who can’t or don’t want to drive themselves. Masks are not required at the event, but they will be required on the bus. 

As for the event itself, Bristor said, “The theme is ‘Starry Night’ … They’re gonna do some uplighting in the room in gold to kind of make it a little bit prettier… [to] set the mood.”  

Bristor commented on what students are expected to wear, saying, “We’d say it’s not  necessarily prom-type stuff, but they do wear dresses.” Bristor later said, “It’s a semi-formal,  so they can wear whatever they want … Some girls do wear their old prom gowns.” 

Bristor described their plans for the event, “There’s dinner, and then dancing. There’ll be a photo booth … And it’s beautiful outside.” 

Bristor also spoke highly of the venue, “It’s beautiful. There’s a lot of wedding and proms and different things held there.”  

Essence Suggs, one of Bristor’s assistants, helped plan and prepare for the semi-formal. 

“Our venue is absolutely beautiful. They do a really fantastic job.” She continued, “Especially since it’ll be in the spring now, we’re hoping that it’ll be good weather.” 

Suggs listed some outdoor activities, saying, “There’s a lake, there’s balconies, people can take pictures.” 

Suggs described the event as “a different setting where you can connect with people other than on campus.” She added, “The formal is a really good time to go with your friends and have a good time and eat different food that’s like nothing on campus and to dance and to listen to music.” 

Bristor said, “I would say that it’s … something fun, because [students] sign up in groups or  pairs. What’s really interesting is that it’s not a guy-girl, boyfriend-girlfriend type of situation, so you can sign up with a group of friends and just go and have a good time.”