SnoBall Attracts Nearly 400 to a Fairytale Evening

By: Kristen Tomaiolo
Posted In: News

Editor’s Note: Click on the words above to view the slideshow.

A giant iron gate was opened and lead guests to two rows of trees draped in white lights

that glistened every so slightly with rain beating down hard on them. Umbrellas were opened and moved towards a gothic style mansion that towered over the ground below with its high roofs, turrets and tall chimneys. The carved gargoyles watched from the building as college students entered.

Approximately 380 students dressed in semi-formal attire danced the night away Saturday at Salve Regina’s annual SnoBall at Ochre Court. All students and guests appeared to have a great time dancing, chatting and eating.

Party-goers arrived at the Great Hall at 9 p.m. and left at 1 a.m. After checking their heavy coats, they soon filled the Great Hall, the Library and the State Dining Room. Laughter and singing were heard throughout every room.

Duct-Tape Dresses

The women, who outnumbered the men, arrived in beautiful gowns in an array of styles and colors. In the most unusual dress of the evening, Salve students LeAnne LeBlanc and Jillian Lee showed up in watermelon colored Duct-tape dresses.

According to LeBlanc, the idea for the dress began last semester when her field hockey coach at Salve told the team they were having a prom practice and had to wear prom attire. LeBlanc did not want to buy a new dress and took an alternative route: a Duct-tape dress. “I decided I buy some red Duct-tape and on a whim I took a big trash bag and stuck strips of Duct-tape on it,” Le Blanc said. “As I was sticking, I molded it into a tube top.”

LeBlanc said she didn’t care much how the dress turned out because it was only for practice. But she loved it so much she decided to add to her creation for the SnoBall.

“I went to Michaels and bought bright lime green and hot pink Duct-tape and just went over the dress I made for practice,” LeBlanc said. “It took an hour to make.”

The men wore everything from pinstripe suits to purple shirts. Mostly underclassmen attended the dance.

The Best Ever

With a blink of an eye, students poured onto the dance floor and busted out their greatest dance moves. No matter one’s musical preference, the D.J. who came from Seismic Sound in Brockton MA, offered something for everyone. The variety of songs ranged from Gretchen Wilson’s “All Jacked Up,” to Eric Clapton’s “Wonderful Tonight,” to Cindy Lauper’s “Girl’s Just Wanna Have Fun.” A highlight of the night happened when nearly all attendees lined up on the dance floor and did “The Cha-Cha Slide.”

Student activities director Bart Carithers said that Salve’s Campus Activities Board did a great job of planning the event. CAB members decorated for more than two days. Going with a “Snoball” theme, large snowflakes hung from the ceiling and trees filled with tiny white lights shined throughout the night. In the Library and the State Dining Room, tables were decorated

with blue table cloths with large blue and white flower centerpieces that were set on mirrors covered with flower petals.

Blackstone Catering in Newport served an abundance of hors d’oeuvres that included: spinach and mushroom pizza, crab cakes and a treat called a beggar’s purse, which was a pastry filled with chicken, spinach and cheese.

The food was served on trays around the rooms by waiters. Two long drink bars included water and sodas and another table became filled with finger desserts and coffee near the end of the night. At the end, white chocolate wrapped snowflakes were handed out as party gifts.

“It’s nice to come back after winter break and have the dance,” said sophomore Kirsten

Babich. “I think we should have another dance in the spring.”

“My favorite part is that everyone is having a good time,” stated Bobby Gondola ,senior

and student body president, adding that he wished more seniors could have attended.

Overall, the night was a success, according to Carithers. Next year, CAB hopes to extend

the decorating to other areas of the first floor. “This was the best SnoBall in my

four years at Salve,” said Carithers.

The SnoBall at Salve has been an anticipated event each February since 1988.