Phling It!
Philander's Phling, Kenyons's winter semi-formal, attempts to ease students out of their long underwear and into a night of high fashion and fun.
This year's Phling is on February 5, the start of a long month of cold campus trekking. Despite the lighted trees and snow-capped benches, single-digit degree weather steals much of Middle Path's charm come second semester. No longer is Middle Path a place to stop, chat, and admire campus, but rather the icy walkway that shuffles students to and from dorms, classrooms, and Peirce Hall dining. The winterized version of Kenyon's student body is evident by heads down, hands tucked away, and feet carefully placed. Although most endure the valiant walk along Middle Path on weekend nights between north and south campus, winter's chill keeps more and more students at their respective ends as the semester goes on.
Set in our glamorous and centrally located Peirce Hall, Phling forgets these winter woes and brings north and south campus together.
Phling is anticipated for weeks as a kind of light at, well, the middle of the tunnel. The annual tradition doesn't mark the end of winter or any particular point of the semester, but, rather, a relief from the winter blues. Kenyon gents put on their ties and Kenyon ladies dress their finest, even making time for shopping trips to Columbus to purchase a dress just for the evening.
There's nothing like stepping into something swank to boost our spirits. This year's theme, "A Red Carpet Affair," will deliver all the required glam and glitz. Students will actually walk a red carpet and stop for a photo shoot before they're off to dance. Senior Rachael Greenberg, now an experienced Phling-goer, loves the spectacle of the evening. "With all the girls dressed up, I love the movie-like bathroom scenes at Phling. Under the fluorescent lights girls powder their faces and emotionally talk up the evening's events." If a need for socializing has been pent up along with us in our dorm rooms, students agree Phling is a night to let loose.
Students mingle and dance all evening to live performances by Kenyon bands and DJs. For first-year students, the arrival of the night's tradition proves to them they've made it through the hard part. For seniors, this last Phling will certainly pass with moments of nostalgia and awe, knowing they're just months away from graduating and facing the even harder part. Until then, suits out and glasses up for an unforgettable evening!
By Cate Flanagan '11 of New York City