It’s that time of year again! You know what I’m talking about, it’s the annual Black & White Ball! Whether you call it the “Mills Prom” or a night to just have fun with your friends, it is a memory you will cherish.
First-years Alyia Yates, Kai DeGregorio, and Yesenia Checa are all excited for the upcoming event and let me in on their plans for the night.
“My mom’s supposed to send me my prom dress, so this is it,” Alyia said.
She originally wanted to wear the white and strapless dress she wore for her senior prom. As a substitute, Alyia showed me her LBD, or a little black dress, which is a classic look that works for all occasions.
In contrast, her friend Kai will be wearing an outfit in the opposite color.
“It’s a white knee length dress with a bunch of pearl-looking beads that I’m surprised hasn’t fallen apart yet,” Kai said.
Because of its white color, Kai hopes to not spill anything on the fabric during the Ball.
Since this year’s theme is “A Masquerade,” all three girls said they went to a hole-in-the-wall thrift shop on Fruitvale and MacArthur called Payless Fashion to purchase their masks.
Yesenia has a mask that is all black with feathers and glitter, reminiscent of Mardi Gras or the Carnival of Brazil.
“I didn’t want feathers but the lady put them on anyways,” Yesenia said. “It took her a week to make it.”
Sophomore Katheryn Contreras, an international relations and creative writing double major, has been looking for an event where she can show off her mask. She told me a little bit about her ensemble while we were at the Tea Shop.
“My dress is from junior prom and I’ve been looking forward to wearing it again,” Katheryn said. “It’s one of my favorite dresses.”
The dress Katheryn is planning to wear is a long black dress with a red base layer.
Junior Melanie Vega will be wearing a floor-length dress with a low back which she got for free from a friend who didn’t want it.
“Overall, it is black with a golden under layer and it is beaded,” Melanie said.
Then, I asked each student what they’ll be doing before Black & White Ball.
“My friend, Ruby [Rodriguez] is going to do my makeup. Kai’s going to be my unofficial date,” Alyia said.
“We’re big on food so that’s going to happen,” Kai said.
“We’re going to get dressed at my apartment, I’m going to make dinner, and we’re driving there,” Katheryn said.
On the other hand, Melanie will be holding a “spa night” with her friends at Orchard Meadow (because of its bathtubs) to get dressed and ready. The night will include sugar scrubs, manicures and experimenting with different hairstyles.
“We’re also having dinner off-campus,” Melanie said. “I’m driving my friends there. I figured since I have a car, might as well. Plus I love driving my car.”
As for how excited the students are for Black & White Ball, it’s pretty obvious.
“It’s the highlight of my March,” Alyia said.
“So freaking pumped!” Kai said.
“Me and my friend, Kai, have a high school mentality. We’re going to do prom all over again, because we’re 19-20 year olds who want to relive it again,” Alyia said.
“I’ve been looking forward to spending time with my friends,” Katheryn said. “You don’t get to do that very often, which is very special.”
“I’m pretty excited,” Melanie said. “One of my personal goals is to be more social this semester: go off campus more often, get dressed up more often.”
Melanie likes the “specialness” of the Black & White Ball, noting how rare it is for Mills to have events like that.
“It’s nice for Mills to have the Black & White Ball because you get to socialize with your friends off-campus,” Melanie said.
The Black & White Ball: A Masquerade will be held this Friday, March 7 from 9 p.m. until 12 a.m. Tickets for the dance are currently SOLD OUT.
For more information, check out the Black & White Ball Facebook event page.
