Students reflect on the “Golden Years” of CHS while enjoying the present at Winter Ball on Friday, Feb, 25.

The dance was the Class of 2024’s first time hosting an event, the cafeteria was decked out with Polaroid pictures of students, gold decor and black and white photos from past CHS events.

Sophomore class president Sabrina Liding of Freehold explained that the council was able to come to a decision on the theme quickly.

“Jordan Juliano, the [Class of 2024] vice president, came up with the theme,” Liding said. “And his idea was based on your high school years being your prime, golden years.”

Mere weeks before the original date Kafor the dance on Jan. 7th, principal James Gleason told the Class of 2024 council that Winter Ball had to be postponed due to a high number of COVID-19 cases.

“We had everything prepared,” Liding said. “It was surprising and disappointing because we were all ready to go, but I guess it gave us more time to prepare.”’

Even with the delayed date, Class of 2024 advisor and English teacher Emily Soto explained the lingering impact the COVID-19 pandemic had on the event.

“The only rule was everyone had to wear masks and originally, we weren’t allowed to have food, but it was a nice last minute surprise that we could have some snacks,” Soto said.

Due to cancellations and changes attributed to the pandemic, Winter Ball was the first formal CHS dance for the Class of 2024 and Class of 2025, making the night even more golden.

“It was a great first experience,” freshman Isabella Delgado of Eatontown said. “Since a lot of my friends came to this dance over the previous dances, it was so much fun!”

While this was the first formal for some, it was the last with the whole school for the Class of 2022.

“I got really sad towards the end of the dance, especially when they were playing the final song,” senior Fiona Macchia of Holmdel said. “But it was really fun to celebrate my last Winter Ball with friends.”