Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia members Jarod Hopper as Peter Pan and Devin Barnes
as Captain Hook duel it out to gain applause for the couples costume contest.
The Lion's Roar / Megan Ferrando

Peter Pan, Count Dracula, Queen Elsa and more united for a Halloween Ball that helped eliminate segregation among student organizations. 

For one entertaining, dance-filled, costume-attired night, students came together to enjoy the Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia Halloween Harmony Ball in the Student Union Ballroom last Thursday night.

Cody Watts, senior Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia event coordinator, created and orchestrated the dance after coming up with the idea over the summer.

“It started with the idea of how can we bring student organizations together and connect them,” said Watts. “It started with a problem actually, something we’ve been struggling with is the unintentional isolation that happens. How can we get closer to other organizations? How can we build relationships with them so we can start collaborating?”

Students dressed as everything from famous Disney characters to a pair of green and purple grapes. Booths lined the walls, giving information on each of the organizations in attendance. Music played as people danced throughout the night, only stopping for the costume contests, dance contest, dance performance by Southeastern Dance Performance Project and the improv comedy performance by No Shoes Allowed.

“It’s absolutely phenomenal to be able to enjoy the festivities,” said Nicholas Usey, junior engineering major. “To be honest with you, I couldn’t have thought of a better night to do it. It’s actually a lot better than Halloween night. It’s perfect.”

The Halloween theme played for a unique touch as students and faculty got creative in costumes. Dressed as the iCloud, junior computer science major Jacob Darouse won the singles costume contest.

History professor and Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia alumnus Dr. Ron Traylor and his wife Dr. Gwen Traylor received the loudest screams and won the couples costume contest dressed as a bee and beekeeper.

“I think it’s wonderful. Because it was the first one I wasn’t sure what kind of response we’d have,” said Dr. Ron Traylor. “But I’m very pleased with the numbers and everyone seems to be enjoying himself or herself. And I love the different tables that are represented.”

Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia is hoping to make the ball a tradition for future years and grow with even more organizations present.

“I hope as a result of this one, next year will be even more of a response,” said Dr. Ron Traylor. “I’d like to get some of the social fraternity and sororities involved as well.”

Many attendants expressed a desire for the ball to be hosted again next year.

“I came here to support my students and the Dance Performance Project,” said Skip Costa, dance instructor. “I love it, I’m glad we have students who are interested in coming here and being a part of it. I feel like the success Cody’s made tonight is going to keep growing over the years.”

Student organizations in attendance were Alpha Psi Omega, No Shoes Allowed, The Roses, American Red Cross, Delta Omicron, Kappa Kappa Psi, StandOUT, Young Americans for Liberty and the Southeastern Dance Performance Project.

“One of the hardest things was doing something for the first time that’s never been done,” said Watts. “I’m really happy I could bring something like this together for the students and organizations of Southeastern. I’ve found out I love event planning.”