Lights and greenery adorned the Cannon Activities Center on Nov. 12, transforming the ordinary gymnasium into a forest-like dance floor. Wearing tuxedos and formal dresses, students attended a gala dubbed “an enchanted evening,” complete with a red carpet and elaborate photo backdrops.
The ball was hosted by members of the Aotearoa/New Zealand, Hawaii, Tahiti and Fiji clubs. Aotearoa/New Zealand Club President Devon Beatson shared she and her presidency wanted to celebrate the success of the upcoming graduates. Halfway through the event, members of the Fall 2021 graduating class were recognized and given leis to celebrate their upcoming success.
“We know the COVID period was a very hard time for everyone, especially for some of the Pacific [Islander] students not being able … to return home.”
Beatson, a senior from Ahipara, New Zealand majoring in psychology, said they wanted to plan a rather formal event, encouraging a high level of dress and appearance. She shared balls are common in New Zealand YSA culture, and she wanted to share that tradition with BYU–Hawaii.
“Though it is a dance and a ball, it’s also a celebration of culture, a time to mingle and spend time with each other. We wanted to give off the vibe that this was something different from what we see on campus. It was an opportunity to elevate ourselves.”
Malia Manuo, a junior psychology major from Tri-Cities, Washington, and a member of Tahiti Club, said she got to reunite with friends she hadn’t seen since the semester started. “It’s different when [I] only see them in work attire, … and then all of a sudden I see them all decked out in makeup and jewelry.”
Seth Thomsen, a senior from Mililani, Hawaii, who is majoring in business finance and economics, said he was excited to attend a formal event because the school hasn’t held one for a while. He shared he admired the lighting and greenery accompanied by dimmed lights because it set the tone for the evening.
“Looking at the decorations, [I could] tell how much effort and thought the organizers put into the event … and what they wanted the event to be. Through seeing the decorations, I could tell this was going to be something that’s more upscale than what [I’m] used to and it really fit the tone of ‘an enchanted evening.’”
He added he hopes other clubs take notice of the event and plan events like this one in the future.
Beatson said the clubs wanted to give students something to look forward to during their first semester returning to in-person school and to “encourage pacific excellence.” She added the ball was an opportunity to celebrate the graduates and everyone else who endured lockdowns and online school.