Relishing in the distraction from school, approximately 300 students gathered in the quad in the evening of Friday, Aug. 18, for the annual Back to School Dance.

They swayed to music and sang along with the lyrics of popular songs while catching up with their friends. Others snacked on food, jumped in the bouncy house or took photos with the gold balloons, which spelled out “BTSD.”

Students and adults dressed up in flower shirts, hula outfits and flower leis to fit the Hawaiian theme. The decorations mimicked a tropical luau, with tiki torches and flowers set up around the quad. “The decorations and lights created a cool atmosphere,” junior Mira Park said, “especially since the dance was outside in the quad.”

There were games by the office, such as limbo, free food on the lawn, a bouncy house and dancing. Additionally, class officers from each grade sold food in front of the cafeteria to raise funds for the upcoming year. Freshmen sold ice cream sandwiches; sophomores, fries; juniors, candy; and seniors, otter pops.

Unlike winter formal and prom, the Back to School Dance is casual. As a result, it is much more relaxed in terms of preparation, according to Park.

“It's important to have a balance of casual and formal dances so students don't feel pressure to dress up, make elaborate plans for dances or find dates,” Park said.

Nicole Wong, a sophomore on the dance commission, thought that the dance was an overall success. She said that the parent donations of food, drinks, ice and decorations played an integral part in the event’s outcome.

The dance commission started planning the event over the summer. They met to discuss the theme, food options, decorations, the DJ, activities and promotion.

“The Back to School dance was more organized this year because the dance commision spent the whole summer planning it,” head dance commissioner senior Marissa Leong said.

On the day of the dance, the leadership class, the dance commision and other students tirelessly transformed the school before the start of the dance at 8 p.m. They bought food, put up decorations and prepared for the flood of excited attendees.

Attendance for the dance was high and, even though the commission ran into difficulties such as a mix up with the DJ, they were able to resolve them quickly.

“We were happy with the outcome,” Wong said. “The dance ended at 10:30 and students left reluctantly, but were content with the night.

“I loved seeing everyone dancing and enjoying everything,” Wong said.