Mr. Felhaber with a tray of food to be served to students at the January formal dinner. Photo: Mr. Michael Aldridge.
Formal Dinner is the monthly occasion when students and faculty dress up to dine; however, January’s formal dinner differed from the usual as teachers and coaches became waiters and waitresses for the students.
Formal dinner is a long-time tradition at Northwood School. “Formal dinners were an every night experience back in the 40s and 50s, because students had to wear formal attire to dinner,” said Assistant Head Mr. John Sear. “It was not until the late 60s that casual attire became the norm, and formal dinner was changed to be held once a week,” added Spear.
As the dinner begins, students eagerly wait for their teachers/coaches to arrive with a tray of food: Chicken Piccata, Lasagna, and Vegetables. In the familiar dining hall, the air is filled with lively chatter of the students and the hurried footsteps of faculty members delivering dishes to their designated tables.
“It is my favorite formal dinner of the year,” Spear said. “Since I usually call up tables to the buffet, I am usually the one to eat last in every other formal. It is less stressful this time because I didn’t have to make sure everyone was there,” Spear added.
Even though they had to serve us food, the faculty remained enthusiastic, as if it were the classroom. “The teachers all looked like they were having fun, especially Mr. Reed, who was laughing a lot,” says Florence Richard ‘25.
Mr. Reed was all smiles at the January formal dinner. Photo: Mr. Michael Aldridge.
After a round of savory courses, it was time for dessert. The faculty members once again get into action, carrying trays of vanilla cake and scanning the room to see who would like a serving. While some teachers distributed desserts, others collected empty plates, bringing them to the dish room.
“I look forward to formal dinner because I get to spend the evening with my friends, all together, without worrying much about doing my homework,” says Richard. With academic and sports responsibilities, a formal dinner can be a good time for students to socialize. It is a way for the community to come together, make memories, and enjoy each other’s company.
