Expectations For Senior Ball and the Darien Lake Trip

This year has flown by much faster than I ever thought it would, and it’s only been my first year back from Egypt after my 10-year absence. Right now, it’s that time of year when all the seniors can think about is graduation, ball, and BALL. As in the past, Ball this year is located at the Double Tree Hotel in East Syracuse. The name of the DJ still hasn’t been released. A few students are probably also thinking of the physics trip to Darien Lake. But, ball has become their main concern. For some it’s become quite stressful and for others, they’ve got it all figured out. I didn’t even think that going to ball was going to be a possibility for me because my dad was so set on refusing to let me go. However he’s changed his mind and now I’m just like the rest of the senior class.

Back in Cairo, Egypt, I went to an American private school that was a lot like J-DHS. But at my school we didn’t get a Junior Prom and a Senior Ball, we just had Senior Prom. It was usually located at a hotel that the students chose through a vote, and everything was paid for through fundraisers. We used to hold bake sales, carnivals, talent shows, and similar events and the proceeds would go towards our Senior Prom. We also sold tickets that in my opinion were over-priced. There was no After-The-Ball Party because all the seniors just rented out rooms at the hotel and spent all night and the next day with their friends, enjoying each other’s company. The main concern there was having a tux/dress and going just to be with all your friends. Over here the main concern is having a limo, where you’ll be taking pictures, finding corsages and boutonnieres, the After-The-Ball Party, and most importantly, having a date.

I think one thing that some people are more excited about than ball is the After-The-Ball Party at the Strike N’ Spare Bowling alley in Mattydale. They’re so pumped to the point that people that aren’t even going to ball are going to the After-The-Ball Party. They think that it’s way more exciting and fun.

I actually found it quite surprising how many factors have to be taken into consideration for one person here to be satisfied about their Ball situation. I guess all those factors turn to memories, so they stand for something good. Most of the people asked said that they were more excited about Ball than the senior field trip to Darien Lake.

Senior Nicole Wagner is excited for Ball because she gets to be with her friends, and unfortunately she isn’t going on the Physics trip because “I have tickets for Dave Matthews Band and it’s on the same day. If I wasn’t going to that, I would be excited for the trip,” said Wagner. Senior Jason Nordheim is also excited about Ball and Darien Lake because “they’re a fun way to end the year,” said Nordheim. “I’m excited for Ball because I get to see a friend that I haven’t seen in a long time,” said Nordheim. Senior Amani Jackson is more excited about Ball. “It’s going to be the last dance with my senior class and after that I’m going to hang out with my closest friends and just chill,” said Jackson.

Senior Steven Vallery is very excited about both. “They’ll be the last few memories with my senior class so I hope I have a good time while celebrating the end of my senior year. It’s a good way to top it off,” said Vallery. “I’m more excited about Ball because I’ve been to Darien Lake several times and I’ve been to lots of proms, but you only have one Senior Ball and I wanna make great memories there,” said Vallery. Senior Courtney Ellis is excited for Ball. “It’ll be fun, I get to dress up, and dance with my friends,” said Ellis.

“I’m excited about Ball because it’s my last chance to dance with my senior classmates,” said senior Sam Wormuth. Senior Tyler Cavanaugh thinks that the last senior activities are a good way to end his high school career. “At Ball I’ll get to be with more people at once which will be more fun, plus it’s our last school dance. I just hope I have a great time to cap off the year with,” said Cavanaugh. “I’m excited about Ball because we haven’t had a dance since last year and it’s always nice to see everyone dressed up. Plus, I actually don’t like roller coasters so I don’t how many rides I’ll be able to enjoy at Darien Lake. I just like the fanciness of Ball,” said senior Brendan Coli.

“I expect Ball to be a good time with all my friends, but I’m not setting my expectations too high so I don’t get let down,” said Wagner. Nordheim and fellow senior Noel Williams are also not setting their expectations too high. “I don’t really have any expectations because I believe that expecting an awesome night sets me up for disappointment, but without them, I’m free to enjoy my night,” said Nordheim. “I tend to go into situations expecting nothing so that it’s better when I get there,” said Williams.

Wormuth hopes to see everyone there at some point of the night and for there to be good music. “I expect to be really tired by the end of the night,” said Wormuth. Jackson expects to do “so much reckless stuff” with his friends. “Good music, dancing, a lot of pictures, and like I said, having a good time,” said Vallery on what he expects from Ball. “I know I’ll be dateless for a while because the Lacrosse players will be going late because of a game, so I hope I can make the most of it,” said Ellis. “I hope the dinner situation isn’t as dramatic as the table situation, because that caused a lot of stress and I don’t see the big deal in stressing out. Overall, I think it’ll be fun, especially because we’ll be dancing even though I’m not the best dancer,” said Coli.

Senior Skyler Canute is definitely excited for Ball. “Ball is a great night to stay up late and have fun with your friends. It’ll be one of the last times with my high school friends,” said Canute. He’s more excited about Ball than he is about Darien Lake. “I love amusement parks, but they’re not very wheelchair friendly, so I can’t do a lot of stuff, but I can do all I want at Ball,” said Canute. “I expect good food, good music, and A LOT of fun,” said Canute.

Senior Alexis Lerman is excited about both senior activities. Lerman is excited for Ball because she expects the food, music, and memories to all be good. “Everyone is getting too stressed out about Ball and it shouldn’t be this stressful, the important thing is to have fun, which is why I’d rather go to Darien Lake,” said Lerman. At Darien Lake, Lerman expects to “go on every rollercoaster,” she also hopes the park is not too busy so she can get on rides faster and more frequently. “I can’t wait for Sky Coaster, they lift you up 180 feet and drop you so it’s like you fly like Superman,” said Lerman. “I’m very excited for Darien Lake because it’s good to miss school and get to hang out with my friends,” said Williams. “I don’t have to dress up, I can get all dirty, and have fun,” said Williams. Senior Alex Gugger is not going to ball, but he is excited about Darien Lake. “I expect it to be a good time with my friends. It’ll be fun,” said Gugger.

Wormuth is excited about Darien Lake because “I just want to see Mr. Ferrik’s mustache being blown away in the wind,” said Wormuth. “I have no clue what’s going to happen at Darien Lake, but I’m looking forward to spending one last great day with my classmates and enjoying the rides at our last class field trip,” said Wormuth. “I expect to see a lot of ladies walking around in their bikinis. I’ve been working out, I’ll look good without my shirt on. I’m gonna make good memories and take lots of pictures,” said Vallery. “I’m going to go on as many rides as possible and just enjoy the last social event with my classmates,” said Cavanaugh. “I expect to go on a lot of water rides, NOT roller coasters and engorging myself in food,” said Coli. “It’ll be one of the last experiences we will have as a class and I want to cherish it,” said Coli. “I wanna see my friends faces when they get off the rides, that’ll be a laugh,” said Canute.

As for me, I’m equally excited about both Ball and Darien Lake, because they’ll both have amazing memories to them. I’ll get to enjoy each in the presence of my friends. While each senior activity is different, each will share good and lasting memories.