Milken Mini Stories: Clothing Swaps and Winter Formal

 

Students dressed up and danced the night away at the annual Upper School Winter Formal held on Saturday, January 27. Saturday’s event marked the third consecutive time that Milken teamed up with de Toledo High School for the event, which was held at de Toledo this year. The theme for the evening was “A Night at Willy Wonka’s Chocolate Factory” and was the brainchild of the Milken Student Government's Executive Council.

 

There was a big turnout of 300 students who were enthusiastic and ready to party the night away. Everyone had a great time mixing and mingling with their classmates and students from de Toledo. de Toledo’s gym was transformed into Willy Wonka’s Chocolate Factory. Willy Wonka-inspired decorations adorned the walls and tables. Customized candy bars, enormous Styrofoam lollipops, and giant Willy Wonka heads were printed in the Guerin Family Institute for Advanced Sciences and placed throughout the space.

 

There were lots of fun activities and tasty treats. Food trucks served tacos and pretzels, and there was a delicious chocolate fountain. Students could strike their best poses in a fun photo booth. A student DJ provided popular tunes and kept the dance floor hopping all evening long. Arcade games including a giant Connect Four, Dance Dance Revolution, Jenga GIANT, and air hockey, were among the amusements students could take part in.

“I think formal was a great night for the Milken students to celebrate together outside of the traditional school setting and to engage with other Jewish high school students. I hope everyone enjoyed themselves,” said Clara Pitt ’18, formal organizer and vice president of Student Government.

 

Racks and tables of clothing and shoes filled the Upper School amphitheater during the second annual Gay-Straight Alliance and Environmental Club-sponsored clothing swap on January 31 and February 1. Garments were available for purchase or students, faculty, and staff could donate an item and exchange it for another one. David Kates, Director of Library Services and Environmental Club Advisor, and Michael Wiesinger, Assistant to the Office of College Counseling & Academic Advising, modeled outfits during a lunchtime fashion show.

 

Proceeds will go to the Thomas Fire Fund for fire and mudslide relief in Ventura and Santa Barbara counties. The Los Angeles LGBT Youth Center will receive the clothes for teens in their transitional housing. Approximately $262 was raised through sales and cash donations. According to Abby Thurmond ’18, student leader of the Environmental Club, the clothing swap was a successful way to get the Milken community involved in helping organizations that addressed issues that the Environmental Club and GSA supported.

 

“This year it especially worked well to hold the event during Tu B'Shvat, the holiday of the trees, since many clothes have cotton and other plants in them and we could talk about conservation of resources through reuse," remarked Kates.