Rachel Nava
Staff Writer
Around 400 Franciscan University of Steubenville upperclassmen danced the night away at an art museum themed formal at Bella Sera outside Pittsburgh Friday from 8 p.m. to midnight.
To fit the theme “A Night at the Art Museum,” the grounds of the villa were decorated with various art posters featuring pieces such as “The Great Wave off Kanagawa” by Hokusai Katsushika and one of Vincent van Gogh’s self-portraits.
Students came dressed in formal attire and took many photos with the art and the rustic villa aesthetic framing the background.
Students enjoyed hors d’oeuvres, and there was a cash bar for those 21 and over.
Many of the students ate the food provided in the upper levels of the villa and then came down afterward to join those on the dance floor.
Senior Elisabeth Baker said, “Formal was such a beautiful gathering to go to, just having that opportunity for so many different types of people and groups and households to come together, have fun, dance and socialize in a safe and fun environment.”
She added, “And of course, it was so beautiful to see the friars, the RDs and other FUS workers helping to serve the students on their night out. I even saw a group of students get prayed over before they went on the dance floor.”
Junior Gabrielle Brounstein said, “It was so fun to see everyone all guised up and to just dance and let loose with friends! Also, the appetizers were quite tasty.”
The night was rated as “fun” and “exciting” by many of the students, and, as Brounstein also said, “It was fun to dress up and see everyone’s beautiful dresses and nice suits.”
The formal was hosted by Exc!te as the last event of Spring Fling week. This was the first annual formal since 2019.