By Pallavi Kawatra, Opinions Editor

After months of eager anticipation, more than 80 students from Trinity Hall and nearby high schools dressed up, dined and danced at Beacon Hill Country Club in Atlantic Highlands on May 15 for the first school dance.

The semi-formal dance, which was attended by nearly the entire student body, provided the community with the opportunity to enjoy time with friends and meet new people. The successful event was the result of many hours of planning by the community life council, led by sophomore Chloe Toole, freshman Gina Rienzo and faculty advisor James Palmeri.

Reilly B., Jacqueline M., Malia W. and Olivia D. enjoyed the opportunity to socialize in style at the school’s first semi-formal dance on May 15 at Beacon Hill Country Club in Atlantic Highlands. Photo Courtesy of Olivia DeNicola.

“The venue was beautiful, and I had a really great time with my friends,” freshman Diana Bilotta said. Most attendees liked the scenic and elegant venue, and Beacon Hill Country Club has happily welcomed Trinity Hall back for future events.

“The Trinity Hall girls seemed to really enjoy themselves, and their dates were gentlemen,” said humanities teacher Kristy Geoghan, one of the dance chaperones.

“I enjoyed the semi-formal because it was opportunity for us to be social and meet new people,” said sophomore Malia Wolf, who brought a friend from Red Bank Regional High School as her date. “It was somewhat awkward at first because the boys and girls didn’t know each other well, but by the end of the night everyone seemed to be having a fun time.”

Each student was permitted to bring a date to the semi-formal, and while many did, some chose to enjoy the evening with their friends.

“It was fun! We all got a chance to hang out as one big group and do something that was fun outside of school,” said freshman Joanna Ferrer, who, like many of her schoolmates, was attending her first high school semi-formal.