The challenge for this story was to find a newsworthy event happening on campus. This was the easy part. Finding people to interview, and deciding what parts of the event were the most important proved to be quite challenging. In the end, though I am proud of the angles I focused on, and the way that the story turned out.
Student-Run, Jane Austen Ball is a Huge Success
Salve Regina’s second annual Jane Austen Ball brought many new faces as well as returning students, this past Wednesday at Ochre Court.
The Jane Austen ball was hosted by one of the university seminar classes. Students came dressed up in gowns and tuxedos, to enjoy food and refreshments, dance, mingle with friends, win prizes, and witness a traditional Jane Austen dance.
This year’s crowd built on last year’s success said English professor, Dr. Trainor, who ran the event with a class of students. His hopes for the ball were to get people interested in coming and he said that this year they had a “terrific turnout.”
Throughout the dance there was light snacking. Food including finger sandwiches, and small pastries were provided, as well as tea and water for refreshments.
Today’s hit music was playing in one of the ballrooms and students could be found out on the dance floor or exploring the mansion for photo opportunities, while dressed in Jane Austen-esque dresses and suits.
Many students were most excited about being able to show off their formal attire. Freshman Julia Curtin said that she was interested in the event because she “love[s] Jane Austen and any excuse to dress up!” Similarly, freshman, Danny Landino, said “getting dressed up” is what made him want to come.
Publicity for the event stressed the fun of getting to wear old prom dresses and tuxes. Posters like this could be found all over campus.
Freshmen Curtin and Landino said that they knew about the event from these fliers around the school, as well as from upperclassmen who had previously attended.
Landino said that he was “a little upset about the music, but other than that it’s cool.” Because the computer playing the music wouldn’t hook up to the speakers it was hard to hear, but Curtin didn’t mind. She said that she was having a fun time and loved the idea of a Jane Austen themed ball.
The ball began when Trainor started his Jane Austen in Book and Film seminar last year. “Wanting to provide an experiential learning unit” said Trainor, he decided to have the first annual Jane Austen ball last fall. “We have the setting for it, why not do it?” he asked.
His seminar class researched the food, the dancing, and what would typically happen at a ball. The class of 18 were in charge of all the preparation for the event. They were broken up into a food, dance, games, and publicity committee.
The ball reflected the focus of the class because “Of course you can’t pick up a Jane Austen novel without a ball in it” said Trainor.
More details on the event here
Emilie Rae 