On Friday, Thomas Dining Hall — commonly known as “New Side” — was transformed into a dance floor featuring a bar and buffet for the annual Senior Soirée. This year’s theme was Old Hollywood, with many students sporting black dresses and pearl necklaces to fit the occasion.

Seniors voted on a theme for Soirée earlier in the fall, with “Old Hollywood” beating out choices such as “Hunger Games” and “Enchanted Forest.” The theme was reflected in the event’s decorations, with gold and black balloons throughout the room and red carpet leading into the event. The decorations this year also included an honorary “Star Wall,” based around this year’s theme, listing some of Kenyon’s most memorable community members, both past and present. Featured community members included AVI Foodsystems employee “Old Bob” Haws and former Vice President for Student Life Bijan Khaghani ’23.  

As seniors flooded in, they were greeted with tables of food, including chicken skewers and a chocolate fountain, which surrounded the dance floor. Students could choose from fresh fruit, pretzels and marshmallows to dip in the fountain, or could instead enjoy savory snacks such as sliders and a selection of cheeses. The night also featured an open bar with White Claw hard seltzers, champagne and other beverages for students 21 and older. For those uninterested in alcoholic beverages, the bar served mocktails such as Shirley Temples and soda. 

Another special aspect of the evening was a photo booth that printed keepsakes for the night, with props including hats and glasses. “Lifelong souvenir right there,” Ellie Kahle ’25 said in reference to her pictures. Georgia Paterson ’25 expressed similar sentiments. “[I] had so much fun taking pictures. It was a great memory to leave with,” she said. 

For attendees, the event was a night to commemorate the shared history of the graduating class and allow students to come together in their final year before graduation. “It makes it feel just a little bit more real,” Kahle wrote in an email to the Collegian. Similarly, seniors noted how nice it felt to get together and celebrate. “Events like this create a really strong sense of community among the seniors,” Paterson wrote in an email to the Collegian.