By Ayza Ali ‘28
Setting the stage for yet another amazing year at Sem, one of Wyoming Seminary’s beginning of the school year traditions, the Bell Tower Dance, was a huge success this year. Held on September 25, 2026, students gathered at the Bell Tower for a memorable night of laughing, singing, and most importantly, dancing.
Traditionally, the dance is held at the end of the first week of school, but due to some other school events, the dance was postponed. However, this did not stop the students from celebrating the beginning of the year, and joining together for a great night. The beginning of the school year can cause a lot of stress; finding your classes, meeting new people, and figuring out your teacher’s teaching style can be a lot for both the new students and those returning. The Bell Tower Dance allowed students to let loose and forget about their stress for the night. It also allowed them to socialize and get to know one another better, helping strengthen the student body’s connections. Rhea Mascarenhas ‘28 attended the dance and said, “I loved this year’s dance! The best part of Bell Tower is getting the opportunity to make new memories and getting to know unfamiliar faces.” Thanks to the dance, the bridge between the boarding community and the day students was broken down, allowing students to familiarize themselves with one another, creating lifelong friendships.
The entire dance would not have been possible without the help of True Blue. After the school day, the group of students worked to make sure that the Bell Tower was decorated with lights, the DJ had curated the perfect playlist, and most importantly, that the students would show up and enjoy themselves. They advertised the dance for weeks leading up to it, getting the students excited to get a chance to celebrate the beginning of the new year. Andreanna Vavlas ‘27, a leader of True Blue, says, “As a senior, I can confidently say that the Bell Tower Dance is one of the best traditions to kick off the school year. Being able to work alongside my peers and watch an idea come together into a night enjoyed by the entire school was one of the most rewarding experiences. From jumping into mosh pits to singing ‘Take Me Home, Country Roads’ and swaying together on the steps of the Bell Tower, every moment captured makes this tradition so meaningful. It was more than just a dance; it was a night that brought us together, created lasting memories, and reminded us what it means to be Blue Knights.”
It is clear that the Bell Tower Dance means a lot to the Sem community, and that any chance for the students to live in the moment is a chance to create core memories. There isn’t a better way to start off the year, and the Blue Knights can’t wait to carry on the tradition forevermore.