LIMESTONE — On November 10, the entire student body of the Maine School of Science and Mathematics (MSSM) put down homework and donned 1920’s costumes and personae for the sixth annual Gatsby Ball.
Contributed photo
The Charleston was one of may dances that students of the Maine School of Science and Mathematics learned for the annual Gatsby Ball, held this year on Nov. 10.
The Gatsby Ball provides students with an exciting, thought-provoking, and fun opportunity to experience the 1920’s through food, music, and conversation. Every student creates a character with a distinct social class and represents that character throughout the course of the evening in his/her best approximation of 1920’s costuming.
Started six years ago by MSSM Humanities Department Chair, Jessica Bartlett, the Gatsby Ball was initially intended solely for her American Literature class. However, the overwhelming popularity of the ball grew and culminated in 80 percent student attendance. The Ball became a school-wide event and continues to be a high point in the school year for students.
The Gatsby Ball event also includes ballroom dancing lessons for students to hone their dance steps before the big event.
In 2012, U.S. News and World Report ranked the Maine School of Science and Mathematics the 38th best high school out of nearly 22,000 public high schools nationwide, and the 9th best magnet school.
For more information about MSSM, please visit the school’s website at www.mssm.org.
