By Emme Hogge, Associate Editor
On Mar. 3, El Camino students of all grade levels were able to attend the Mardi Gras dance for the first time since the 2020 pandemic.
Mardi Gras has been a long standing tradition at EC, but was canceled two years in a row due to the COVID-19 pandemic. This year, a total of 445 tickets were sold, making Mardi Gras 2023 a huge success.
Mardi Gras is a French holiday that marks the last night of eating “exotic” foods before fasting during the Lenten season. Although Mardi Gras is a Christian tradition, it is celebrated widely amongst other cultures and communities. One of the most extravagant and popular celebrations occurs in New Orleans, where the streets are filled with music, parades, floats, and revelers dressed in the traditional Mardi Gras colors of purple, green, and gold.
To celebrate, EC’s Student Government class planned a rally and a dance themed around the common festivities of Mardi Gras.
Like a typical EC dance, the small gym was decorated and designed for students to dance and listen to music provided by the hired DJ.
In addition to the DJ and dance floor, there were multiple inflatables in the large gym, dodgeball in the wrestling room, and a food truck outside.
Senior Class President Nic Mendoza (‘23) explained that because of the many different aspects involved with Mardi Gras, preparations for the dance have to begin as early as August.
“We have to start months before the actual dance to make sure there’s no hiccups,” Mendoza said.
EC Student Government has many responsibilities when it comes to any dance, but Mardi Gras takes even more effort than ever. In addition to working with outside vendors to provide the food truck, DJ and inflatables, all of these materials must also be insured and approved prior to the dance. Because of these factors, students have to get a waiver signed by their parents before purchasing their ticket.
The week leading up to the dance, EC showed off their Mardi Gras spirit by participating in a colorful spirit week, where the days consisted of wearing monochrome outfits of the typical Mardi Gras colors including green, yellow, purple and black.
Although the dress code for the dance was casual attire, many students dressed up in gold, green, and purple clothing, with Mardi Gras themed accessories like beaded necklaces, tutus, and colorful makeup.
Junior Class President Addison Ponder (‘24) explained that Mardi Gras is a unique event that can be fun for each student.
“I think it’s very different from other dances because it has other activities besides dancing,” Ponder said. “It’s a more laid back event and it’s something that more people can enjoy.”
For the remainder of the school year, EC’s upcoming dances include Junior Prom on Apr. 15 and Senior Ball on May 20.
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