Rondelet draws 350 students

By Jennifer Luo     4/10/08 7:00pm

After a year of absence, the spring formal Rondelet returned in the form of "Midnight Masquerade" with approximately 350 attendees. Rice Program Council hosted Rondelet on Friday, March 28 at Trevisio Restaurant in the Texas Medical Center. Compared to last semester's fall formal, Esperanza, which drew about 550 attendees, the spring formal was smaller in size. RPC President Michelle Kerkstra said they had anticipated a traditionally smaller turnout for the spring formal and had hoped to have at least 300 attendees.

Rondelet, held annually since 1947 with the exception of last year, was revived due to the success of Esperanza last fall and increased interest from the students indicated through the RPC representatives in each college.

The $6500 RPC spent on Rondelet covered food, transportation, a DJ and the restaurant rental. Tickets were $10 each. RPC typically spends more on the fall formal than on the spring formal. RPC spent $16,000 on Esperanza with a net loss of $4000.

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Kerkstra said the RPC budget allows for losses of up to $6,000 for each of the two formals.

"Since Esperanza this year was really successful, and we only lost $4,000, we had some leeway for the spring formal," Kerkstra said. "The spring formal was also nice because of its close location, cheaper tickets and classy theme."

Sid Richardson College sophomore Stephanie Eberhardt said she enjoyed the dance. "It looked like they had a pretty good turn-out," Eberhardt said. "I remember the music was good and the location was really nice."

Kerkstra said it is very likely that RPC will host Rondelet next year. She also said RPC plans to lower the price of next year's Esperanza tickets to $10 in hopes of boosting attendance, with the budget contingent on the location of the formal.

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