The class of 2025’s senior ball, which took place Feb. 22, from 6-10 p.m. at the Museum of Ventura County, was a smash success. Students adhering to the theme of “masquerade ball” came walking in dressed to the nines. Seniors danced, laughed, chatted and ate as they enjoyed one of their last get-togethers before graduation.

An arch of orange, white, black, purple and blue balloons greeted the students as they walked through it to dinner. Lively music projected from speakers, hyping up the mood for the night. The photo booth was up and running before students even stopped by to have their pictures taken. A golden backdrop equipped with sparkles was hung on the wall, and people could grab props to hold up in their pictures.

By the time dinner was ready to serve, most students had already filed into the room, talking with their friends as they sat at tables adorned with black tablecloths. Vases of flowers served as the centerpieces.

The food consisted of pizza and sliders, which students could add customized toppings to. Dessert was cookies, brownies, strawberries and candies.

“It’s a very teenage friendly menu,” Principal Audrey Asplund said. “Sometimes they have things like chicken and rice, and I’m not saying teenagers don’t like that, but this is a very teenager friendly menu.”

While waiting for the food, students talked with their friends outside at tables parallel to the venue.

“Senior ball is just one of those dances that every senior should go to, it’s a fun way to hang out, like one of the last dances with your class,” senior class president Reagan Espinoza said. 

Once the sun set and night time hit, the dance floor slowly became more and more crowded as friends conversed and laughed with each other while dancing to the beat.  

Slow dancing songs soon came after, and seniors found their friends or dates to hold and sway to the music with. Just as soon as it started, however, the peaceful, bittersweet mood soon vanished, and the music crescendoed to an energetic sound, keeping it upbeat for the rest of the night.

[My high school years] were a blast. Going to all of the football games, going to basketball games, and the atmosphere, and the teachers have been so kind,” senior Alijah Jackson said, “If I went anywhere else, I wouldn’t have experienced it like I did at Buena.”