Christmas Dances: Jane Austen, Charlie Brown, and Waltzing Galore!

Inspired by their discussions of Jane Austen’s Emma in Senior Seminar, the New England Class of 2025 decided to throw an elegant event to celebrate Christmas the way Austen might have done so at the turn of the 19^th century. Bl. Frassati Student Center was transported back to a bygone age of aristocracy and romance as snow softly fell in the chilly night air. Partygoers made their way down the hill, snowdrifts on either side of their path. When they arrived, they found the student center transformed into a Regency era ballroom, complete with Christmas trees, a cozy fireplace, and scarlet bunting swathing the rails of the mezzanine.

A staple at Regency era dances were dance cards, small slips of paper tied to a lady’s wrist with a ribbon. When a gentleman asked a lady to dance, he would write his name on her card, either to reserve a dance or simply to keep track of who had danced with whom. The seniors brought this tradition back for an evening, with a twist: The gentleman who danced with the most ladies would win bragging rights and a homemade dessert from seasoned baker Maddy O’Kray (’28). With the competition begun, the men immediately spread out to find a dance partner. “We hoped it would encourage everyone to dance with lots of different people,” said Dominique Huckins (’25). “Plus, it’s a fun piece of historical tradition!”

The first three dances were waltzes, performed live by a student string quintet. Guests feasted on festive fare such as charcuterie, strawberry meringues, and chocolate fudge, while sipping on eggnog. The room was a whirling blur of jewel-toned dresses and suits. The floor cleared, however, when the annual waltz competition was announced! There were three rounds of dancing, and onlookers held their breath in hopes that their favorite couples would make it to the next round. After serious deliberation, the judges announced the winners, giving the gold to Stephen Brown (’25) and Teresa Bingham (’26).

As 10:00 p.m. struck, the ladies returned their dance cards to their baskets so the results could be tallied. The two gentlemen who danced the most were Michael Griffin (’28) and David Martin (’28), who danced for every single song that evening. “They definitely took the contest seriously!’’ said Naomi Pride (’28).

Alas, even though the contest was over, the festivities were not: Students continued dancing and socializing late into the night.

In California, the evening’s theme was “A Charlie Brown Christmas” and festive cutouts of Peanuts characters could be spotted amid the Christmas trees, garlands, and wreaths of evergreens that trimmed St. Joseph Commons.

The evening opened with a short skit performed by the Senior Class, in which Charlie Brown discovers the true meaning of Christmas through a wise reminder from his friend Linus: “For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, which is Christ the Lord.” The seniors also performed live music, singing a few beloved Christmas songs before their audience received some exciting news: The senior class pulled some strings, and, against all odds, Santa Claus arrived from the North Pole! St. Nicholas himself treated listeners to a reading of “T’was the Night Before Christmas.” After he made his goodbye (with a Merry Christmas to all and to all a good night), everyone crowded around the piano to sing Christmas hymns. “Having the whole school singing together is just so perfect,” said Liliana Helm (CA’27).

When the last strains of singing died away, the dancing began. Pairs twirled under the strings of lights, paper snowflakes, and mistletoe that hung from the rafters, while seniors serenaded them with Christmas classics. At 9:00 p.m., the floor cleared for the annual waltz competition. Competitors glided across the room under the watchful eyes of the judges and the far less critical gaze of onlookers, who admired the dancers’ grace and skill. After some tough judicial decision-making, Patrick Murphy (’25) and Claire Ray (’25) won first place, an impressive feat considering that Patrick had danced in a knee brace. “Who needs an ACL with a partner that elegant?” he joked.

The dancing continued late into the night, and so did the sounds of music, conversation, and laughter that accompanied it. When the festivities came to an end at last, students left grateful for the tradition that allows them to celebrate Christmas with the whole College community. “It truly brings the campus together at the end of the first semester,” said Peter Ellis (CA’26).