Every February, President Larry Arnn receives a formal invitation to a ball in his honor.
On the evening of the event, he hosts five men and five women at his home who have been interviewed by a panel of faculty to determine Hillsdale’s next President’s Ball court. After the group arrives to the ball, Arnn crowns the king and queen. This has been the President’s Ball ceremony since the beginning.
Although Arnn is not on the panel that determines the President’s Ball court, his wife, Penny Arnn, has a seat.
The spotlight this year, however, is not only reserved for the 10 court members, but for every student who attends the red carpet event.
The Academy Awards theme for this year’s President’s Ball is “further than we’ve ever gone with a theme” according to Student Activities Board Director senior Haley Johnson.
In addition to a hired photographer who will capture student poses on a red carpet, a television host, senior Alex Anderson, will engage in red carpet interviews with student celebrities.
“This is a theme where we can go very big,” Johnson said. “It’s very interactive.”
The Student Activities Board began planning the President’s Ball upon its return from Christmas break. After a theme was pinned down, the team broke into groups to work on projects. The largest project, in terms of physical size, is a ninefoot paper maché statue in the shape of an Oscar.
The President’s Ball boasts the largest SAB event budget of $10,000, after Centralhallapalooza. The bulk of the cost is divided among food, decorations, and the band.
“The Oscar statue was completely handmade,” SAB assistant and sophomore Corinne Wiggins said. “We have a lot of gold decorations, and we plan on putting up a Hollywood sign. We want to bring the venue to life.”
A new competition that aligns with the Academy Awards theme was introduced to students this week. Students may create and submit a 30second movie trailer by Feb. 21. On the night of the ball, the winning submission will be revealed and receive a prize.
Erring on the side of tradition, inviting the Jerry Ross band from metro Detroit ensures a lively dancing atmosphere for students and the band. Booking the band is the first order of business before the planning season of the President’s Ball, as Arnn often requests that the band return every year.
“The band loves playing there, because the students can really dance to all of the music that the band plays,” band leader Jerry Ross said. “It seems whether we play a swing tune, a modern tune, or a chacha, they all dance. It looks like they’ve been taking dance lessons.”
The 11person band has rotated members for the past 15 years. Some are only seasoned a few months, others have stayed with the band since the beginning. Because of the the band’s success, Ross was pushed by demand to open an entertainment agency that now has a 12person staff. It is general consensus among Ross and his band that Hillsdale College is one of the most lively venues they visit.
“It’s one of the most energetic parties of the year,” coband leader and saxophonist Levi Jensen said. “More people dance to the band than most of the parties where we play.”
