Students donned their best French-inspired attire for this year’s Versailles-themed President’s Ball. 

Senior Kellen Pollock wore a powdered wig, and sophomore Sam Baggott wore a maroon dress jacket with gold lace. 

“I always like to do everything 110%, especially when it comes to dressing up, and I really liked the theme,” Baggott said.

Rachel Marinko ’20, director of student programs, said the event went well.  

“Every year there’s more people,” Marinko said. “I think the SAB team did a great job, and I love seeing people get dressed up.”

SAB team members served students mocktails. Sugar cookies, charcuterie cups, and cheesecake bites were also available. Students noted that the traditional chicken fingers were missing from the food spread. 

“I’m still looking for the chicken fingers,” senior Patrick Scott said.

A caricature artist drew portraits of students, and art pieces painted by students hung in the Hoynak Room. Junior Elizabeth Ross said the exhibit was a great place for people to talk and look at artwork.

“I think it’s beautiful,” Ross said. “It’s very classy, and it feels like a little museum.”

Senior Cauê Basso said he has attended President’s Ball every year. 

“I really like it,” Basso said. “I like the dancing and music. I’m glad Alba was the queen of the ball, because I’m an international student and she’s an international student. I’m really proud of her.”

Sophomore Evelyn Gray said she enjoyed the dance.

“You kind of never know what you’re going to get going into a dance,” Gray said. “But I like the theme, and it’s been fun floating around and seeing different people.”

College President Larry Arnn crowned seniors Jonathan Williams and Alba Padrón as the President’s Ball king and queen Saturday night. 

“This year’s queen and king are chosen to be the epitome of what we strive to achieve,” Arnn said at the ball. 

Anna Vincenzi, assistant professor of modern European history; Ian Church, associate professor of philosophy; Brent Cline, associate professor of English; Diane Philipp, vice president of student affairs, and Penny Arnn chose Williams and Padrón out of a group of 10 seniors, according to Arnn. 

“I didn’t think I was gonna win with how many great guys there were on the court, but some of my friends in the front row were pointing at the sheet that Dr. Arnn was holding, because they could read the back of it,” Williams said. “So they had already known what was going to happen. So I felt like there was something going on there. So I’d say the moment that my name was said, it wasn’t a surprise, but it was sort of all like, ‘Wow. This is surreal.’”

Padrón said she was shocked when Arnn announced that she was queen. 

“It made me happy to win,” Padrón said in an email. “I love Hillsdale, and it was an honor. I loved hugging my friends as they congratulated me as well as the other people in the court.” 

After they were crowned, Padrón danced with Arnn, and Williams danced with Penny Arnn. 

“Getting to dance with Mrs. Arnn was great,” Williams said. “She’s very funny. She has a great sense of humor. And we talked about Simpson, and we talked about England, and we talked about her grandbaby that’s on the way.” 

Williams said he’s always loved President’s Ball and the Jerry Ross Band, and he loved the decorations and theme this year.

“I think this year, it’s been really cold, and I think the construction issue can kind of take away some fun things to do,” Williams said. “And so I think everybody was just ready to party and have fun. And I could definitely feel the energy bursting when I walked in.”