A Little Party Never Killed Nobody

The Gatsby takes over across campus

This time in 2012, not one person within the Greek community would think to
have a dance, party, formal or sponto themed, The Great Gatsby. In fact, its become
routine to go to themed functions like those wearing neon or yoga pants, cowboy boots or
flannels, togas, red, white and blue, representing America, or even themes of retro outfits
reminiscing on the culture of the 80s. And nothing celebrating the 1920s.
The 1925 novel, The Great Gatsby, was written by F. Scott Fitzgerald almost a
century ago, highlighting the roaring 20s party scene of Long Island, New York in 1922.
This book has been known; it has been remembered and only thought of as something
tedious to read in the classroom until this past summer. This past summers outbreak of
the movie, The Great Gatsby, directed by Baz Luhrmann, has not only stirred up an
exciting interest of students on campus, but has made them actually want to play the part.
Thetabition, Kappa Alpha Thetas Gatsby themed sponto, was the most fun
freshman Maddie Freimuth has had when it comes to parties. With her two-day
preparation, and nothing to wear in her closet, she went with freshman Jeff Vlaming from
SAE. Everyone was just so excited and happy to be there, she claims as she reflects on
her night living in the 1920s.
A little party never killed nobody, quotes Randy Trembacki, a sophomore from
Delta Tau Delta who attended his own Great Fratsby. With his date, Erica Hughes from
Alpha Xi Delta, it seems that this theme is spreading across campus. Both Fraternities
and sororities on our campus are finding this years media-based fad to be involving the
apparel, music, decorations, and atmosphere of the roaring 20s; all mirroring the
elements from The Great Gatsby.
Who thought it would ever be cool to wear a feathery boa, plastic pearls and fish
net tights? Or even gel your hair back, throw on a bow tie and wear suspenders for a
casual night out? From almost 100 years ago, The Great Gatsby has given college
students like us the only way of life we could know about in the 1920s. No one seemed
curious about the life of a 20-something-year old all those decades ago until the
realization came of this mysterious character, Gatsby.
Barndances are fun, but this was a really nice change, sophomore Anne
Marshall from Alpha Phi says about her experience at The Great GatsPHI. From
cowboy boots and flannels to glitter and feathers, she explains how, The change kept
things exciting.
As students express their excitement about the experiences they had at their
Gatsby themed functions, the real question is why its became so big. Why is it, that
almost 100 years later, the roaring 20s is becoming something that needs to be
celebrated. Its something so different from the routine college parties, that its become

something ideal. Phi Mus upcoming sponto, The Great Gatsby Affair, is another
function coming up that sophomore Lauren Morton explains, the girls are really excited
for. She thinks its a great theme, a perfect chance to get dressed up in 20s style outfits
and hairstyles. As everyone has seen the movie, the theme has become one that will take
while to be out of style.