Hofstra students gathered in the Physical Education Building to celebrate the first Pride Prom in commemoration of the inauguration of Hofstra President Susan Poser. // Photo Courtesy of Adam Flash via University Relations.
The first of its kind, “Welcome to the Pride Prom,” held over 500 students in the Physical Education Building on Saturday, Sept. 25, as a celebratory event for students to kick off the inauguration of Hofstra President Susan Poser.
The prom featured food, beverages, a dance floor and music headlined by DJ Zeke for students who may have missed out on going to their high school prom due to the pandemic, according to Poser.
“I thought it was a fantastic idea,” Poser said. “Many students had missed their prom junior year and senior year, and I suppose there were no dances like that for freshmen last year.”
Madison Blank, a sophomore television and film major, went to the prom not knowing what to expect, as she did not get this opportunity as a class of 2020 high school graduate.
“It was a good feeling to be there, especially since my graduation would have been in that building as I went to high school on [Long] Island,” Blank said.
In order to hold this event, numerous COVID-19 safety guidelines were imposed on the students to limit the spread of any potential illnesses.
“One of the measures was keeping the food outside to avoid people from taking masks off inside,” said Julie Singh, a sophomore finance major and facilities and operations chair in the Student Government Association. “We had all students show their Pride Passes at the door to ensure they were vaccinated and [we] required masks in the building throughout the entirety of the event.”
This was a source of distaste for Blank as she did not view these policies as allowing any form of “normal.”
“I do not think this event is the start of going back to normal because of the masks,” Blank said. “It just wasn’t the same.”
Grace Sengstock, a junior biochemistry major, holds a different belief than Blank.
“The pandemic to me, like most others, put everything on pause, [especially] my classes, my social life [and my] everything,” Sengstock said. “Being able to be back in a school environment with a dance like this was refreshing.”
Even though Sengstock was appreciative of the experience, she had issues with the COVID-19 prevention policies, as well. Having the food and drinks separated was bothersome, along with having to constantly show your Pride Pass upon re-entry to the arena, according to Sengstock.
Even though students were frustrated with the COVID-19 prevention policies, they still believed the night was an overall success, both Blank and Sengstock admitted.
Poser too believes the Pride Prom was a success.
“[The turnout] tells me that students want to be together, that they love Hofstra, they want to be on campus and they’re willing to do what they have to do in order to get there,” Poser said.
