“Guys, it’s raining! Again!!”
It seemed like a mess. Everyone was running around and trying to get things done. This was going to be quite an experience.
Every year, one of the most awaited events is the Junior-Senior Banquet — JSB. Generally, the sophomores are responsible for organizing it, and the juniors and seniors attend it with their dates or friends. This is the only event in all of Upper Years when a guy asks a girl out for a date, according to the tradition, so people look forward to something unusual.
Last academic year, in May 2018, our grade had the responsibility to set-up the event and make this into a success. This was also the time of the year when I held the position as a co-class governor, along with Shivaansh Garg.
So we started the planning around the last week of March and got everyone’s preferences so that we could assign them the duties they wanted. Since it was supposed to take place in May, we had enough time to plan it.
In the beginning, things were processed slowly with the amount of leisure time we had. But as mid-April rolled in, things started to get serious. We had only three weeks left for the day and we had to start speeding up our pace.
It started with getting everyone to work; the leaders got their committees working; everyone else in the grade contributed as much as they could in some way or the other.
From about two days before the day, things became extra serious, and everyone, especially the decoration committee. As they physically had to make things and display them, a huge group of people started to stay up in school till late in the evening. All we could think about was JSB, and nothing else. There were dozens of emails floating about and meetings happening. Everyone was involved.
Every time I walked into the art room, there was always a group of people working on something. Starting from an elaborated decorative piece to every minor artistic thing which could be put up.
The photo booth committee too worked their hardest; from finding a place that would produce Instagram worthy photographs to figuring out where the whiteboards for the background would be set up. They had it all under control.
Even the invitations and posters committee were at it, having put out these things way before expected.
All of these people cooperating and coming together to make this evening happen was such a pleasure to be part of.
Then, the final day came. Different committees had different times assigned to them to report to the Quad, where the event was supposed to take place. Now for years, Woodstock had been holding JSB out in the open, in the Quad. It is a tradition to wear pretty dresses and tuxedos and enjoy the warmth in May.
But this time, we had a catastrophe.
We had been checking the weather report previously, but there was barely any confirmation that it would rain. We had a few plans in mind, but nothing strong had been thought about.
Well, it did rain.
And it was not just that it rained and stopped. Drizzling happened, then the sun came out.
Having things moved in, starting from display decorations to little candles on tables, the whole class was confused about what was to be done with everything. The Homeroom Heads were thinking hard, and Garg and I were stressed. We did not have a long time left before the juniors and seniors would arrive. Starting from chairs and tables to decorations and AV setups, most of the things were out of place. We eventually set up the whole place, again, after the rain stopped.
Then a strong shower stopped by. And then the sun came out again. For the last time, a heavy downpour greeted us.
So, every time it rained, we shifted most things (including the tables and chairs) inside the dining hall. And every time it stopped, we built up courage while hoping it would not rain again, and set everything back outside.
This took place three times. Three whole times.
Looking back, it does not appear to be a huge deal. But when we had just a couple of hours left until the event, it was one of the most apprehensive moments in my life.
We had very less time but had 85 people asking us what was needed to be done. Our friends were extremely supportive and helped us regain the confidence to get things set up, again.
When it was raining for the final time, I realized that I was no longer able to speak in my normal voice, because the rain was so loud. So I basically had to scream like there was no tomorrow.
However, after that evening of chaos, it was not the rain or the hopelessness of our situation that stuck with me, but it was that I loved my grade. I had never been so proud of our class, Adcresco. The second we had to strip everything down to keep things dry, literally, ALL hands were on deck and within three minutes, everything was taken off.
People really cared about the grade, and they cared for the impression we would be making in front of our seniors.
After about 85 students running around and all our advisors helping us, it happened. And it was a success.
After the event, Garg and I sent an email out to the grade, thanking them for all they had done.
My eyes were moist, not because we did it, but because we did it together.
Priyansha Agarwal is a staff reporter at The Woodstocker
Photo courtesy of Ms. Swati Shreshta
Edited by Victoria Lee
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