WILKES-BARRE– On Saturday, November 30th, 2019, the Greater Nanticoke Area High School held their annual semi-formal for students. 

In recent years, the semi-formal was usually held at the Plymouth Twp. Tilbury Firehall 169 in West Nanticoke. This year, however, the event was met with even more excitement because of the new location: The Mohegan Sun Casino Convention Center in Wilkes-Barre.

Every year students eagerly anticipate this event. Over 300 students attended this year’s semi-formal, all excited to see the venue. They found that the Convention Center holds a large, beautifully decorated room with round tables featuring red table cloths and candle centerpieces. While the room itself was large, the dance floor was small, especially for the number of students in attendance, but that did not stop the students from dancing.

Another change this year was the greater advertisement for single tickets compared to years past, something many students took advantage of. Tickets were sold at $80 per couple or $40 for an individual. Regardless of attendance with a date or going solo, everyone looked their very best. The girls wore mainly short, straight, beaded or two-piece dresses with heels and jewelry to match. The boys wore suits with either a tie or a bow tie, and some decided to rent tuxedos for the night.

The buffet-style dinner offered many options including pasta, salad, taco and nacho bar, and a dessert station. Despite the mixed reviews and the occasional petition to “bring back the chicken tenders” of previous years’ dinners, attendees generally enjoyed the options.

After dinner, the dance floor opened as the DJ played some tunes as the students danced the night away.

Sophomore Ellie Lastovets thought, “Everyone looked their best at the formal and it was a very enjoyable experience.” 

The GNA Semi-Formal proved itself a night to remember for all who attended.