Gearing up for Graduation: Class of 2022 Senior Class Royale

By Harmony Sanchez | Published April 15, 2022

The Class of 2022 at Kean University kicked off the celebration for their upcoming graduation at the Senior Class Royale this March. The Student Government Association hosted the formal on Saturday, March 29 at the Sheraton Parsippany Hotel, where students gathered with one another to take photos, enjoy food and dance the night away.

The formal started with a cocktail hour including hor d’oeuvres, an open cash bar for guests 21 and over, and shrimp cocktail. Students who attended the formal purchased their all-inclusive tickets for $50.00 prior to the event. At check-in, the vaccination cards and ID’s of each guest were verified.

“The Senior Formal was an amazing time, absolutely enjoyable. The Vice President of Programming from the Student Government Association, Yessica Jimenez and myself were able to plan that wonderful night with the help of the senior class President and formal committee. Seeing the students enjoy the night was great and it was an awesome turnout overall,” Martha Julemis, Senior at Kean and Student Government Association Executive Vice President said.

 Julemis stressed that every step of the event, from planning to execution was a memorable experience for her leading up to graduation.

“The Senior Formal allowed for everyone to just truly enjoy themselves and their hard work and dedication to their studies and because of that the scenery, the overall formal was something like a dream come true,” said Kean Senior Allan Delgado, who was in attendance at the formal.

Allan described the formal as a celebration of all the hard work the Class of 2022 has put into their education throughout the pandemic and other life events.

After cocktail hour, guests transitioned into the reception area for dinner and dancing. At each seat, a party favor including a miniature graduation cap and wine glass was set up as a token to take home.

“Dinner consisted of various open buffet stations. There was a 360 Photo Booth which everyone enjoyed but lastly, at the Hora Loca performance, a LED robot topped the night off,” Julemis said.

The event included various fun elements, like a traditional photo booth where students took pictures with props. A special 360 photo booth that spins around the subject to create a slow-motion video was even available too. Many students joined their friends to create videos using the 360 booth.

“DJ Posh was playing great songs to dance to,” Delgado said. “I would definitely say without a doubt the most memorable part about the formal was when out of nowhere there was a huge dancing robot surrounded us and was covered by lots of LED lights that followed the beat of the music.”

Students on the dance floor who were surprised with the LED Robot got handed balloons to celebrate and dance along.

A room booking discount was even offered as an option for students who planned on staying at Sheraton Parsippany Hotel after the formal.

“I did stay in the hotel there and it was very cozy and comfortable. In the room I purchased there was a nice king sized bed and spacious bathroom and shower, so it was honestly a comfortable stay,” Delgado said.

Towards the end of the event, students enjoyed the dessert bar and refreshments.

The Class of 2022 has only just begun their graduation celebrations. Seniors can look forward to several Gradation Events this coming April and May.

The Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion is hosting their Lavender Graduation Ceremony on Friday, April 29 for students a part of the LGBTQIA+ Community. The office of Africana Studies  will also be hosting their Annual African Heritage Graduation Ceremony this April as well.

Kean University is also hosting a Graduation Fair that will be taking place the first week in May, and graduating seniors who have already ordered their cap and gown can pick it up at the event.

Seniors who are interested in ordering a Senior Class Ring, submitting their Senior Portrait to the 2021-22 Kean University Yearbook or who need to know more information about graduation can visit https://www.kean.edu/university-commencement for more details. Undergraduate Commencement takes place on May 19,  at the Prudential Center.

The countdown to graduation begins!

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