Students Compare Holiday Ball and Flashback

Whether in anticipation of 80s disco outfits or red-and-black holiday attire, students count down the days to both Flashback and Holiday Ball.

Flashback occurs near the beginning of the school year, usually in early October. Each upper school grade is assigned a decade to dress up according to, and the seniors have their own special surprise theme each year. Holiday Ball, otherwise known as HOBA, is a more formal dance held during the holiday season, usually in early December.

Students and faculty alike appreciate the unity acrossgrades and the camaraderie of upper school students at both dances. Dorothy Andama ’28 reminisced that her “favorite memory from this year's Flashback dance [was] taking pictures with friends from different grades and having the opportunity to see people [she] wouldn't normally see at school.”

Reflecting upon her HOBA memories, Andama stated that she enjoyed “the freshman dinner that [her] class had before the dance. [She] think[s] it was a really nice opportunity for [her] grade to be united and together as a community.” When asked which dance she likes more, Andama said, “I think I like HOBA more because it is more formal, and I like to get dolled up with my friends.” Additionally, Anya Husain ’27 shared that “the best part of both of the dances is getting ready with = your friends and dancing with the whole Upper School.” However, Husain prefers Flashback as it is the first dance of the year, and thus, there is more excitement around the event.

Upper school English teacher Melinda Salata enjoys attending Flashback and dancing with students and colleagues. Salata stated, “I have chaperoned Flashback for many, many years. My favorite part is towards the end of the dance, when the crowd starts to thin out, the teachers join in dancing and I have an opportunity to have fun with my colleagues.”

Upper school history teacher Pat McCullough appreciates dancing with colleagues and watching students have a good time. McCullough enjoys it when “students come up to [him] and ask to take a photo. In fact, some current seniors have taken photos with [him] during Flashback every year since their freshman year."