Each spring semester, Oak Park High School’s ASB organizes a Spring Fling dance with varying themes. This year’s dance features a CandyLand theme, advertising a night filled with candy to students.
The dance is this Saturday, March 29, from 7-10 p.m., where students will find a candy bar, pizza, dancing, music, a photo booth and more as advertised by ASB’s flyer.
“A lot of things have gone into the year’s planning,” ASB dance committee member Madeline Kim said. “We have had to be very budget conscious, so working with our new DJ [spotlight LA] has been a new thing we’ve had to adjust to this year, and a large part of the dance was the DIY decor. A lot of creativity and innovation were needed, as well as executing the actual making of decorations, including giant lollipops, ice cream, gumdrops and more.”
The choice of this year’s theme has been in the works since last semester’s homecoming dance and was voted on by ASB’s six-person dance committee.
“We always brainstorm right after homecoming, and we pick a theme a couple of weeks later,” ASB dance committee member Kelsey Frieborn wrote to the Talon. “Our committee knew we wanted a more fun and lighthearted theme for the Spring Fling, so after talking about it, we voted on Sweet Escape.”
Part of what makes OPHS dances unique and student-centric is because of the freedom ASB members have throughout the planning.
“My favorite part is honestly how student-led [the planning] is and how much creative freedom we get,” Kim said. “There are really not many restrictions, and really any vision we have is possible. It makes it all really rewarding in the end when I get to see all of our hard work that started as just a vision in my head come together to be something great.
Although planning the school’s dance can be fun and rewarding, it is not without its stressful moments.
“My least favorite part is probably how stressful setting up the day of the dance is or cleaning up the Sunday after,” Kim said. “But honestly, it’s not too bad because it’s worth it.”
Students can purchase tickets through the OPHS student store either online or in person. Tickets are currently $45 and with an ASB sticker, $40.
