The Masquerade Ball. The campus grounds look absolutely stunning on this surprisingly mild, mid-January evening. The trees and surrounding buildings are draped with bright, white fairy lights that look like twinkling stars in the night sky. As I make my way along the stony pathway, which leads down to the exceptionally large white tent, I can hear the sound of music floating through the air from the inside. In the near distance, I can already see a gathering of students around the entrance, which in turn is making me extremely excited to see my friends again, after having spent almost three weeks back home for Christmas break. I began studying at Seattle’s College of Performing Arts and Music as a freshman back in September, and this is my first experience attending a masquerade ball. I’m excited, but apprehensive, all at the same time. The evening’s festivities officially began at seven o’clock, although it’s already a few minutes after nine as I reach the main entrance doors.
