The third annual formal event hosted by the Flash Activities Board, the Red Dress Gala, brought together students, faculty and guests for an evening of dancing, philanthropy and community.
The event showcased red attire and was a night filled with music and dancing. The gala celebrated unity and emphasized the importance of gathering as a community.
The dance drew attendees from all corners of campus, with many students discovering the event through digital platforms. Josh Wallace, a junior business major, shared how he heard about the event.
“I heard about the gala through social media,” Wallace said. “I was scrolling on Instagram and saw that FAB had posted they were having a dance. It sounded like a good time, so I went and bought a ticket.”
When it came to attire for the gala, many attendees said they carefully planned their outfits. Drawing inspiration from past events, fashion trends and inspiration posts, their goal was to keep things simple yet elegant. Ava Trainer, a freshman fashion merchandising major, discussed how she planned her outfit.
“I wanted to wear something I already owned, so I looked at the inspiration posts on FAB’s Instagram,” Trainer said. “I chose to wear a simple black mini dress and nude heels.”
For many students, the gala was a chance to enjoy a formal evening with friends and loved ones. Josh Wallace took the opportunity to dress up and enjoy the event’s atmosphere.
“I went with my girlfriend and some friends,” Wallace said. “I decided to wear a casual black button-up shirt with dress pants. It was nice to see everybody dressed up and come together.”
Wallace said he enjoyed the lively atmosphere of the dance, noting that every detail added to the night’s charm.
“I really liked the music during the event, but my favorite part of the night was the decorations around the ballroom,” Wallace said. “There were lights, a photo booth and balloons.”
The ballroom was filled with students in conversation, laughing and dancing. Trainer said the event was a chance to meet new people and feel embraced by the supportive atmosphere.
“I had a lot of fun at the Red Dress Gala,” she said. “Everyone was very nice and welcoming. So many people came up to me to start a conversation.”
Lively music packed the dance floor, and Wallace said he enjoyed the music from DJ Mike James.
Trainer said the highlight of the event was the chance to dance and enjoy the music.
“My favorite part of the event was the DJ,” Trainer said. “It was a lot of fun to dance with all of my friends and have a night to ourselves.”
She said it was special to experience the event with close friends from college and home.
“I came with both my best friends from Kent and my best friend from home,” she said. “It was a great feeling to have both of my worlds collide for a night of dressing up and dancing.”
Savannah Carroll is a reporter. Contact her at [email protected].
