A Starry Night at PLNU’s Spring Formal

PLNU’s ASB Hosts 2024 Spring Formal

By: Grace Chaves

On March 16, Point Loma Nazarene University students set aside their flip-flops and hoodies and traded them for formal gowns and suits. The red carpet was rolled out and 1,200 students were treated like celebrities as photographers acted like paparazzi, snapping pictures of those who entered the Natural History Museum for a starry night spring formal hosted by PLNU’s Associated Student Body (ASB).

While many students were expecting a typical prom-style dance, they were instead given free rein in the museum and access to all the exhibits. All four floors were open, including the rooftop, where a jazz band played some tunes and drinks (or, rather, lemonade and Powerade) were served.

The night was put on by ASB’s Director of Activities and fourth-year marketing and organizational communication double major Jordan Roby with help from the Campus Activities Board (CAB). Inspired by the 2016 movie “La La Land,” Roby’s team envisioned what an elegant starry night at the museum could look like.

“A goal for my position this year was to create more inclusive activities and spaces throughout my events so every student could enjoy them,” said Roby. “When I started to look for a venue for the spring formal, I knew I wanted a place that included passive activities so that students who can’t dance for a long time or aren’t able to could enjoy the dance in other ways.”

Third-year media communication major Clara Wilks brought 12 friends with her. She said exploring the museum with them was one of her highlights.

“It was really fun to hang out with all my friends together,” said Wilks. “I had a fun time exploring the museum. I hadn’t ever been before. My favorite section was on the third floor — there were big life-size books and it was so much more quiet up there.”

Although many chose to look around the museum and hang out on the rooftop, the first floor is where most students congregated. There, colorful strobe lights flashed, and a DJ played upbeat dance music.

“It was fun being on the dance floor with the DJ playing some dope songs,” said third-year accounting major David Carreos. “Everyone was dancing and going crazy, and lots of students were going in the mosh pit in the middle.”

As the night came to a close and the lights went down, Community Life Marketing Coordinator and PLNU alum Elaine Giles said she felt like the event was a big success.

Roby attributed the event’s success to the help of CAB members.

“Taylor Phillips and Paige Quesinberry were my committee leads for this event and did a stellar job on the decoration, theme, catering and design of this event,”  Roby said. “Faith Napier, Taylor Kaulback, Emery Mundis and Charlie Wilson were part of the committee and were incredibly creative and diligent in the planning of this event.”

Loman Empire, Goodwin Bash, Silent Disco and Spring Formal are a few of the annual events put on by ASB. To stay up-to-date on ASB’s upcoming events, follow @PLNU_ASB on Instagram.