CAB and HASSA Host Valentine’s Day Formal

People on the dance floor dancing to the song "Cha Cha Slide."

OLIVET, Mich. — The University of Olivet’s Comets Activity Board (CAB) and Hiram Archer Student Success Academy (HASSA) hosted a Valentine’s Day formal on Friday, Feb. 13, from 8 to 11 p.m. in the Community Room in the Cutler Student Center. 90 people attended the formal. 

“Why not do something to show love and have fun. It was just trying to give a chance to people to feel beautiful and dress up,” Joshua Gillespie, dean of student life, said. 

A “dress drive” featuring formal wear clothes for people to take if they didn't have any at college or couldn't afford new ones was held on Wednesday and Thursday before the formal. To make it happen, CAB and HASSA partnered with Cinderella's Closet out of Charlotte, Helping Threads out of Springport, and students, staff, and faculty willing to donate clothes. 

Savannah Schmidt senior CAB member sitting at the dress drive table.

“[CAB and HASSA] held blended meetings to figure out the name of the event, the date, the time, and the theme. Then we budgeted, decided on decorations, and put in the order,” Kay Pelfrey, a senior member of both CAB and HASSA, said. 

CAB and HASSA hosted best-dressed competitions throughout the night for singles and couples, with $50 and $100 up for grabs, respectively. The best-dressed was a senior, Asia St. John while the best-dressed couple was sophomore, Aubrie Rush, and Cal Bolen, a freshman at the University of Michigan. 

The candidates for best-dressed and best-dressed couple waiting to find out who won.

“I think aesthetically it looks incredible, they did a really nice job. The food was really good, the music was good. I've enjoyed it,” Bolen said. 

“It's exciting, and I didn't even know to sign up until one of my friends told me to,” St. John said. 

The Community Room was set up and decorated the day before. The entrance was set up with a red carpet with rose petals scattered, battery-operated candles, and red velvet ropes. CAB and HASSA handed out plastic roses to every guest. The room itself featured a big dance area, a place to take photos, mood lighting, and a few standing tables with red tablecloths. 

The entrance to the community room.

“I thought it would be good for those couples who can't afford a Valentine’s Day date, cause they will be able to have a night out with their person without having to pay anything,” Sophia Lyczynski, senior member of both CAB and HASSA, said. 

DJ Tate 5 on the stage playing music for the event.

At the formal, they had two DJs, one being DJ Butch, who was helping with the mechanical board, and DJ Tate 5, who was on the stage playing the music. There was also a table of food featuring walking tacos, a chocolate fountain with various fruits and snacks to dip in it, cupcakes, and punch.

The food table at the Valentine's Day Formal.

According to Robin Luckadoo-Chadderdon, director of counseling, health, and wellness, the last formal that The University of Olivet held was at the end of the academic year in 2024. Nu Gamma Xi and The Collegiate Recovery Program partnered for a dance, “The Last Dance.”