Regimental Ball features surprises for audience

By Stephen Hodgson
Norwich Guidon Staff Writer

Eerie music filled the Armory as Mike Meyer, dressed as a character from the movie Halloween, slowly creeps toward the stage. He advances toward the table with the distinguished guests and reaches for a glass.

The crowd gasps in terror. As soon as Meyers indicates the poor selection of wine, he creeps to the podium. The master of ceremonies stands in fright. Meyers reaches toward her, grabs her neck, and dips her to plant a kiss on her lips.

On Oct. 19, 2002, Norwich University's Plumley Armory filled with cadets, their dates and guests to celebrate the annual Regimental Ball. The evening was filled with surprises, dinner, dancing and a guest speaker.

The ball was set up differently than in the past. The head table was taken away, and all the seniors and their dates sat in the front at round tables.

"We wanted to make this really senior-oriented; this is the seniors' last regimental ball," said Natasha Waggoner, a senior communications major responsible for the event.

Each senior and their date were introduced as they walked through the Drill Team arch of swords to their seats. Then the Shock Platoon brought in the colors and the national anthem was sung by the regimental men's quartet. Sodexho served the dinner.

"It was nice to get out and have some real food," said Matthew Diamond, 18, a freshman peace war and diplomacy major from Huston, Texas.

After dessert was served, the guest speaker, retired Army Major General Jack D'Araujo, spoke. The speech was not just about his career in the Army; he also made jokes about personal life experiences. D'Araujo was very appreciative of the Corps of Cadets asking him to speak at the ball and very thankful for Norwich asking him to come and visit the school for the weekend, according to Kyle Blaikie 21, a senior communication major from Greenport, N.Y.

The Shock Platoon then performed a trick rifle demonstration with a solo by cadet Brian Hickey.

Members of the regimental dance team, Dana Dexter and Allyson Bard, performed a routine to Santana's Smooth.

Then the theme song for the A Team played; the Norwich Independent Battery shot off one of the Pack Howitzers; and the rescue team rappelled from the ceiling in front of the American flag. In order to make the rescue team's entry a surprise, they had been left off the program. They waited on the suspended track during D'Araujo's speech so that no one would see them leaving the dining area.

"I honestly had no clue what was going on, and then I saw the ropes going down," said Robert Fabich, 18, a freshman nursing major from Bedford, N.H.

According to Waggoner, the staff tried to keep it a secret. Many people had no idea that the rescue team was going to do their display.

"We tried to get as many people involved as we could," Waggoner said. "We wanted to some way showcase all aspects of life."

Overall, the ball was a success, according to Waggoner.

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