BNC's semester-end dance is called a success

Approximately 400+ Blazers and students from surrounding schools took the SAC floor Friday, Jan. 28 at the BNC Semester Shakedown, which earned roughly $1,000. BNC's executive staff called the student turnout and dance, which ran from 7:30 p.m. to 11 p.m., a success.

BNC Public Relations Executive Elysia Sivak, who was positioned behind the snack counter selling soda, said the Shakedown was BNC's largest money-making event organized thus far this year. "This was what I was hoping for: a good turnout and people seemingly having a good time."

Blazers socialized and rocked the dance floor to slow, multi-colored strobe-like dance lights. Although several students like junior Nipon Saisaard thought that the dance had a sluggish start, everybody eventually gravitated toward the inner tier of the SAC. "Everybody's dancing a lot more, definitely a lot more people," freshman Johanna Grestchel commented about the difference of people dancing at the start of the dance and later on during the dance. Behind Grestchel, the DJ coordinated the dancers to perform the "Cha Cha Slide" in unison. "The dance is kicking," continued Grestchel. "I'm having fun with my friends."

BNC advisor Shay Taylor was pleased with the behavior of Blair students. "From a chaperone's point of view, the dance is great; there is nothing to worry about," she said.

Chaperone and TV production teacher Paris Bustillos carried around a whistle to break up any inappropriate behavior. "I thought that I'd need the whistle, but I don't. Everyone has been on their best behavior," he said.

Radio Executive Director Anna Murphy, however, pointed out the problem of Blazers dressing in what she calls "their Sunday best." "People tend to forget that when they go to a school dance, it's at school," said Murphy.

Sivak, who began making plans for the dance in September, said her team of BNC co-organizers worked hard booking a DJ, hiring security and police, enlisting teacher chaperones, buying soda and snacks, selling tickets and advertising at Blair and other schools. "This past month has been the most grueling," Sivak commented.

Blake students were some of the teenagers to show up at the dance that attend different high schools in the area. Sophomore Reggie Nance suggested that more schools should be invited from D.C., for instance. Nance also thought that in order to generate more attendance, students should not have to present their IDs at the door.

While some students did not enjoy the DJ's choice of music, BNC Radio DJ Brian Kesten, who has played at previous Blair dances, defended him. "DJs can never make everyone happy," he said. "The most you can ask from them is to mix well. As far as the selection can go, most people don't like music they haven't heard before."