2008 Woodie Awards
Oh, What a Night! Sold-Out Gala Successful
Amy Bartlow
Issue date: 4/7/04 Section: News
At the Walters Art Museum on March 27, students celebrated Goucher's annual Gala. From off-the-rack gowns to rented tuxes to vintage steals and homemade dresses, Goucher students chose Gala as the place to show their individuality. At a school where jeans and t-shirts are the norm, it was an opportunity to dress up for the evening.
Louis Standish '04, who attracted a lot of attention in his homemade toga, explains, "What reason do you have not to wear a costume?" This rare opportunity to dress up, dance, and have a good time generally brought out excitement in students.
With over two hundred seniors and their dates in attendance, the night had a happy, yet bittersweet tone, as most realized that it would be their last Gala at Goucher. A total of four hundred people bought tickets, selling out the event in two days.
Lauren Frazier '04, head of the Gala planning committee, says, "Many students who do not normally attend social events attended and had a great time, which makes me very happy because my goal this year was to make Gala an event enjoyable for all students, especially seniors."
The $40 ticket offered students more bang for their buck - limo transportation from Presidential limosines, appetizers and catered dinner by Classic Catering Company, DJ Jason Staiger, gifts, and a walk around the museum. Seniors arrived early for appetizers and a champagne toast, led by Senior class President John Olszewski. After the toast, they joined the other students for a buffet dinner of various meats, pastas, and salads. Later, the desserts were especially popular.
After dinner, everyone headed to the dance floor, which quickly became filled with people. The Walters Art Museum created a sophisticated atmosphere, but the carefree attitude of Goucher students made the night. Olivia Smith, '04, casually remarks, "It was elegant, but a little on the trashy side. But I felt like the trashiness made it more real."
The night's reality was also enhanced by all the things that might happen at any social event like Gala - couples and friends were seen arguing in corners, drinks were spilled, some lost their jewelry and corsages. Many of the women could be seen kicking off their shoes at the edge of the dance floor. The lines for the bar and the bathrooms grew long, and seating for the meal was limited. Some got kicked out for being a little too drunk, while others ran out of money and didn't have that luxury. Students seeking red wine and cranberry juice found that it was restricted - spilled red drinks on marble floor do not a happy museum owner make.
In spite of some negatives, most students could be seen having a good time, grateful for a chance to see friends and do some dancing. All guests picked up an engraved wine glass as their gift at the end of the night, which matched the senior gift of a wine stopper. For members of the planning committee, the event was a huge success. Frazier says, "I was so ecstatic to see everyone having a great evening after nearly ten months of planning."
Louis Standish '04, who attracted a lot of attention in his homemade toga, explains, "What reason do you have not to wear a costume?" This rare opportunity to dress up, dance, and have a good time generally brought out excitement in students.
With over two hundred seniors and their dates in attendance, the night had a happy, yet bittersweet tone, as most realized that it would be their last Gala at Goucher. A total of four hundred people bought tickets, selling out the event in two days.
Lauren Frazier '04, head of the Gala planning committee, says, "Many students who do not normally attend social events attended and had a great time, which makes me very happy because my goal this year was to make Gala an event enjoyable for all students, especially seniors."
The $40 ticket offered students more bang for their buck - limo transportation from Presidential limosines, appetizers and catered dinner by Classic Catering Company, DJ Jason Staiger, gifts, and a walk around the museum. Seniors arrived early for appetizers and a champagne toast, led by Senior class President John Olszewski. After the toast, they joined the other students for a buffet dinner of various meats, pastas, and salads. Later, the desserts were especially popular.
After dinner, everyone headed to the dance floor, which quickly became filled with people. The Walters Art Museum created a sophisticated atmosphere, but the carefree attitude of Goucher students made the night. Olivia Smith, '04, casually remarks, "It was elegant, but a little on the trashy side. But I felt like the trashiness made it more real."
The night's reality was also enhanced by all the things that might happen at any social event like Gala - couples and friends were seen arguing in corners, drinks were spilled, some lost their jewelry and corsages. Many of the women could be seen kicking off their shoes at the edge of the dance floor. The lines for the bar and the bathrooms grew long, and seating for the meal was limited. Some got kicked out for being a little too drunk, while others ran out of money and didn't have that luxury. Students seeking red wine and cranberry juice found that it was restricted - spilled red drinks on marble floor do not a happy museum owner make.
In spite of some negatives, most students could be seen having a good time, grateful for a chance to see friends and do some dancing. All guests picked up an engraved wine glass as their gift at the end of the night, which matched the senior gift of a wine stopper. For members of the planning committee, the event was a huge success. Frazier says, "I was so ecstatic to see everyone having a great evening after nearly ten months of planning."