By Magdalene Krzeczkowski 
Staff Writer

At 9 p.m. Friday, Feb. 7, students filled the atrium of the J.C. Williams Center for the twelfth annual Guys in Ties Girls in Pearls semi-formal. The valentine-themed dance, hosted by Crown of Creation women’s household, lasted for around three fun-filled hours. 

All of the Crowns members were present, and about half of their brother household, Corpus Christi.  In fact, one of the Crowns ladies attended with her fiancé from Corpus. 

The atrium was decorated with swaths of white tulle draped between the second-floor railings and two balloon arches, thanks to a crew of hardworking Crowns members who arrived at 6 p.m. to set up for the dance. The lighting was dimmed to help provide the proper party atmosphere. 

Dancing was primarily mosh pit style with several line dances, such as Cotton-Eyed Joe and the Cupid Shuffle, added to the mix. Songs included “Baby” by Justin Bieber, “Dynamite” by Taio Cruz, and “Gimme! Gimme! Gimme! (A Man After Midnight)” by Abba. A photo booth featuring household-themed props was also provided in the atrium. 

In honor of the dance’s name, the first seventy girls who arrived received imitation pearl necklaces.  The dance also featured “stop light glowsticks” to indicate the guests’ relationship status: green if they were single, red if they were taken, and yellow for “it’s complicated.”   

Senior theology major Rosie Logue, who has been in charge of organizing the dance for the last two years, explained that planning for the event begins over Christmas break and is Crowns’ annual fundraiser. 

In order to promote the event, Crowns made a promotional video using the song “Mm Yeah” by Austin Mahone and asked other households to remake it.  They then rewarded Apprentices of St. Joseph, the household that produced their favorite remake, with free admission to the dance. 

Freshman psychology major Elena Flaim, a recent Crowns intent, said that the dance was “my favorite dance I’ve ever been to,” describing it as “an opportunity to have a good time with friends.”  She added that she is “super excited” for next year and is already pumped to spread the word among her friends.