For graduating seniors, the UB Spring Gala is a little more bittersweet than it is for underclassmen enjoying just another night of fun, dinner and dancing.
For them, Saturday marks the end of the road, the last big party before commencement.
"It's kind of sad because I'm a senior and I'll probably never go to a formal event like this again," Priyanka Giri, a senior finance and marketing major, said.
While Gala may just seem like another formal function, in the end, it represents a lot more to students.
"Yeah, there will be Christmas parties and birthdays and weddings to go to, and you shake hands with a lot of people," Kate Crooks, a senior psychology major, said. "But it's rare that you will ever be in a setting like this again."
Taking place this Saturday at Samuel's Grande Manor on Main Street in Williamsville, Gala is an appealing alternative from going out and doing the same old weekend routine.
Gala is held semi-annually and sponsored by the Student Association, providing students the chance to experience an evening of food, music, and dancing in an elegant atmosphere. Also, for those who are of age, students can enjoy access to the open bar.
"It's a good time," event organizer and SA President Dela Yador said. "It's something different, not like a DJ party, and different from the prom, and it's not as big as the Winter Gala."
Tickets are $25 and can be purchased at the Sub-Board I ticket window at 221 Student Union.
In addition to dinner and an open bar, another perk of the night is the free transportation to and from the event, included in the price of the ticket. While there are a number of pick up and drop off points, including the Heights, Governors, Hadley, South Lake, and Richmond, SA recommends students reserve their spots quickly because space is limited.
"While SA provides free buses, sign up in the SA office while seats last," Yador said.
Planning for the event starts promptly after the Winter Gala is over, as details such as the location and the buses are reserved. Although Samuel's may be smaller than the convention center where the Winter Gala was held, it can prove to be more appealing to students, creating a more personal, romantic ambiance.
"The thought of having Gala at the convention center seemed a bit daunting because it was so big," Crooks said.
A semi-formal event, the evening gives students a unique occasion to look their best and leave their hoodies and jeans at home.
"It's fun to get out of an academic setting and into a relaxed social setting and see people you've been in classes with all year get dressed up," Crooks said.
Giri also enjoys how Gala provides a reason to look your best.
"It's a lot of fun," Giri said. "It's a good opportunity to get dressed up in a classier atmosphere."
Gala is an event open to everyone, and people are encouraged to go whether or not they have a date. A patron for the second year in a row, Giri gave advice on how to have the most fun.
"I would recommend going with a bunch of friends," she said. "You feel glamorous."
Looking your best while enjoying good food, beverages, and the company of friends, is also a great stress buster.
"It's a great way to release tension with fellow involved students," Natasha Mehta, a senior history major, said.
Especially with the threat of finals looming on the horizon, Gala provides one of the last chances to kick back and relax before the end of the semester.
"It's almost a guaranteed great time with friends to unwind before the final crackdown of the semester," Crooks said.
Especially for the numerous seniors attending, this year's Gala is a bittersweet moment in the long road of academia.
"It's been a long four years, but a quick four years," Crooks said. "I feel like life is creeping up real fast, and there won't be as many times to have fun like this with the people you've gotten to know and the friends you've made."
