The AP and DC English four classes worked together to hold a Regency-era-themed ball on April 3. The event was brought back after a year off from the annual tradition to allow students to experience a period they had read about for a month.
“The purpose of the ball is to get students in the spirit of the period,” DC English four teacher Alexandra Rebecek said. “The Regency era was filled with social functions, marriage gossip, and overall a PG version of Bridgerton.”
To create the proper setting, the student and teacher participants worked together to decorate their celebration.
¨I am in charge of some decorations. I’m making a few garlands for the place, and I was involved in the decision-making of certain items, such as the backdrop or the tablecloths,” DC English four student, Travis Duong, said.
Alongside the event’s appearance, regency-themed music was performed as well by multiple volunteer groups. A large selection of the musicians were English-four students who were also in the Music Honor Society.
“We had other Music Honor Society officers who were able to ask Mrs. Alex if we could perform. In turn, each ensemble picked their music according to the given theme,” Music Honor Society president Grayson Cater said.
Another thoughtfully planned aspect of the ball was the dress code and guide. The dress code was created with authenticity as well as a range of incomes in mind.
“I made a guide in presentation format after I researched trends of the era and specific articles of clothing attendees could buy. Some students have more to spend, and others have less, so I incorporated a variety of options and prices,” Duong said.
As for the event itself, both traditional and modern activities were incorporated. Some attending students offered their talents to further enrich the ball.
“We are going to have the students waltz, play whist, a regency era card game and bring games and chess. We also have students who will do portraiture and teach others an additional dance,” Rebecek said.
To pull off an event set back in time, the volunteers involved had to be resourceful and research for each of their obligations.
“I honestly used Pinterest a lot to find how to do things more sustainably. The research was very concise,” Duong said. “My main goal was to make everything as sustainable and accessible as possible, so everyone could have fun.”
With everyone’s skills and abilities, the entire event was only possible because of the effort each student and teacher participant input.
“Everyone involved is in a different committee-type group. Some are in charge of food, others in games, we’ll do the music,” Cater said. “I’m excited to show up and see what it looks like.”
