One of the last events before graduation is the Senior Dinner. The name is misleading because it is actually an entire afternoon filled with events from a reception in the Head of College (HoC) house to a senior photo event before wrapping up with the dinner.
The event started at the HoC house where students were greeted by our HoC, Mary Lui, also known as HL. There were extremely delicious hors d’oeuvres (and booze) as students gathered into the familiar place, catching up with other students. This built-in buffer time was genius to ensure no stragglers fell behind before everyone was escorted out into the courtyard, lined up on the stairs and benches with the Dean and HL flanking the sides. The photographer was amazing and so meticulous in arranging everyone’s hair, switching people around to match the heights for a uniform picture.
Scramble for snacks
Well-stocked bar
After 20 or so minutes, people were so tired and hungry that we immediately rushed inside the dining hall once there were a few decent pictures. We were greeted with a gorgeous layout of the dining hall with a podium in the middle, so we knew we were in for some heartfelt speeches. As this year was the year our HL was stepping down as Head of College, it made it extra special since it felt like she was graduating with us.
Beautiful set up
Dinner started off with a champagne toast because from HL’s experience, the champagne would not last if it was saved for the end. We started off with some bread and salad as an appetizer and the butter was so soft and creamy. I loved the goat cheese dressing.
Toast!
Menu recap
The next entree was steak, and it was plated so neatly with really tender meat.
Finally, we had dessert and I was shocked by the bitterness of the chocolate, which in hindsight was an amazing descriptor of graduation: bittersweet.
We ended the dinner with some speeches and much of the crowd was moved to tears hearing about the close relationship between Dean and HL as well as what this community means for each and every one of us. As graduation is the last ceremony left between school and the real world, I had a great time here and loved sharing some of it with you!
