TOWAMENCIN-For nearly 20 years, North Penn has held a Military Ball every winter for the students in JROTC. This event, hosted at the Pinecrest Country club, is a much anticipated tradition for all students involved in this program. Military Ball, or ‘Mill Ball’, is quite similar to any other high school dance when it comes to its music, food, and decorations. However, the event differs in its fun filled atmosphere that centers around a few particularly unique ceremonies.
The Mill Ball began in 2006 with the units’ creation and while it has remained popular among the kids in JROTC, the average student or community member does not know much about the dance. NP senior Brianna Bryan, the Inspector General and Kitty Hawk Air Society Commander, was one of the members tasked with organizing the event.
“The process is pretty simple recently because we tend to stick to the same venue and general idea,” Bryan explained. “We create a Military Ball Committee of about 4 people including first year cadets and experienced cadets. We coordinate with Pinecrest Country club and decide on the food, room rental, and the date. Then the committee meets a few times to decide the theme and roles for our ceremonies.”
The ceremonies that take place during the dance are integral parts to the evening and something that the students look forward to every year. Prior to the event, JROTC members are able to vote for a Mill Ball king and queen, and the winners are announced during the dance. Other roles include the President, a color guard, and a POW/MIA. Then comes the mess rules, which are silly yet remain traditional. Guests are not allowed to sit for their meal until the dinner bell is rung, wear clip on bow ties, or even laugh until the President has laughed. They are also supposed to make an effort to talk to all of the other guests, as well as keep up with their uniform standards and greet Major Parmiter, who is one of the JROTC instructors.
“One of my favorite parts is the grog- a purposefully gross drink mixture that cadets have to taste if they break one of the mess rules,” Bryan stated. The grog can be filled with any liquid, from fruit punch to vinegar.
Anyone from the unit is permitted to bring up to two guests, which can make for a pretty full dance floor. Unfortunately though, the dance has had less and less attendees in the past few years.
“Each year we aim for eighty to a hundred (people) but as JROTC participation decreases, so does Mill Ball attendance, so this year there are about fifty to sixty attendees,” Bryan shared.
Although there are less guests attending this year, the effort that has gone into the planning has remained top notch and members of the Mill Ball committee are anticipating a fun-filled night shared with their unit members.
The dance will be held this Friday, 2/14, starting at 6 pm at the Pinecrest Country club in Lansdale, PA. The theme is black and white and the dress code is floor length formal dresses and either suits or unit members’ service uniform. For more information visit the North Penn website.
