On February 28th, class of 2028 and 2029 of Henry J.Kaiser High School were invited to attend the annual Fresh Soph Banquet. It took place at the Japanese Cultural Center, which was decorated to fit a Hollywood theme. In the venue, props and themed decorations were laid out on every table, which helped pull everything together to feel like a red carpet occasion. The dance served the purpose of giving students an evening away from the classroom, bringing together two grade levels for a night of bonding and fun. Students arrived dressed in their best Hollywood attire, reflecting the regal theme which sets the stage for the excitement of the night.
Skylar Young, a freshman at Kaiser High School said that the mood of the banquet immediately stood out when students entered the venue. “When I first walked in, I was really impressed,” she said. “It actually felt like a Hollywood event. Everyone was dressed up, and it made the night feel important.”
The banquet featured several activities that kept the students engaged all through the whole evening. A fan favorite activity of the night was the mini games that were played to break the ice. Volunteers were invited to participate in games such as Balloon Popping, Wig Snatch, and Musical Chairs. In the beginning, many students expected the banquet to be a more formal event, yet these games helped to lighten the mood.
Attendee Audrey Gould said the games were one of the most unexpected parts of the night. “The mini games were the most surprising because they were really funny and entertaining to watch,” Gould said. “I didn’t expect everyone to get into it as much as they did.”
Shortly after the games ended, it was time to announce the winners of the HOSS awards. Upon arrival, everyone was given the chance to vote on “Who’s most likely to” questions through a google form. As the winners were announced everyone got to watch as the nominated classmates got recognized, bringing together a shared understanding of classmates and community as a whole. After the initial entertainment came the much sought after dinner. It featured a buffet-style meal which gave everyone a chance to get something that they enjoy.
Another classic and beloved activity of the evening was the photo booth. Lined with themed props, allowing students to capture silly memories with their friends.
Once the awards and activities came to an end, the evening transitioned to the dance floor as the DJ began playing music. Many students gathered, singing along, and spending time with their friends as the night continued. For some attendees, this was the most memorable part of the night.
“I’ll remember the dance floor the most because that’s where I spent most of my time during the banquet,” Skylar said. “The photo booth and mini games were really fun too, but dancing with my friends was probably the best part of the night.”
In the end, this banquet gave freshmen and sophomores a break from the stress that school can bring, and an evening of fun with their classmates. They were able to experience games, food, photos, and dancing which overall created an evening to remember. By the end of the night new memories and photographs were taken home from an evening that demonstrated both school spirit and community.
