More than a thousand students gathered at Pier 60 to attend the Violet Ball, one of the highly-anticipated events for Violet 100, NYU’s official spirit week. The event was organized by the Student Government Assembly and was funded by the majority of its Violet 100 budget.

The Violet Ball — although promoted as a glamorous affair — also served as a reminder of the challenges faced by the class of 2024, particularly due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The majority of the students at the ball were seniors whose college experiences had been largely defined by remote learning and virtual interactions.

Junior Anya Pabby and senior Diya Basu on the dance floor.

“It was a fun opportunity to dance with my senior friends before they graduate,” Anya Pabby said.

As students gathered in the ballroom — reminiscent of a high school prom — the ambiance was highlighted by a sense of nostalgia and longing for the in-person events and intimate experiences they had missed out on.

“It’s our senior year,” Steinhardt senior Anna Whitescarver said. “We didn’t get a prom in high school because of COVID and now it’s 2024. Four years later, we’re back looking fire, looking wildly sexy.”

Seniors Anna Whitescarver and Catherine Kenny.

The student government moved the annual Violet Ball from its traditional location in Bobst Library to Chelsea’s Pier 60, due to renovations to the first floor of the library. As a result, the budget for the event rose from $135,000 to almost $185,000 this year, according to SGA chair Ryan Carney. 

Attendees take photos by the waterfront.

“We heard NYU spent a lot of money on us so we want to take advantage of it,” senior Tiffany Huang said. “The venue is really nice compared to last year. Last year, it was in the library — so this is a major upgrade.”

Seniors Victoria Vion and Tiffany Huang pose for photos at the ball.

“Our whole team was trying to make students feel like they’re special and they shine because they are and it’s happening,” SGA senator at-large Ben Moran said. “It’s a great opportunity for everyone. I feel like everyone’s enjoying it.”

“You’ve had one or two glasses of chardonnay and now you’re just having the best time of your life,” Whitescarver said. “All of a sudden, you see someone who you know and you just want to have the best time dancing.”

The DJ played a variety of songs — from Shakira’s “Hips Don’t Lie” to Taylor Swift’s “Love Story” — for the dance floor.

“We kind of bonded because of this,” senior Nora Dillon said. “We’ve had to make our own college and make our own experiences. That makes us stronger and that makes us cooler. It’s nice that we’ve had this dance since NYU wasn’t really there for our beginning.”

Nora Dillon in an Uber with her friends after the Violet Ball.

“We found each other, and that’s big and I love that,” Dillon said. “I love being able to celebrate that. So I’m happy for us.” 

Contact Manasa Gudavalli at [email protected].