ASA Party 2012

Last Saturday night was the annual ASA Party at Brandon's school.  We've never been to the event before (and until a few days before it happened, I didn't even know it existed) so we didn't know what to expect.  I should have know that with the tickets going for 200,000 Guarani (around $45), it would be an impressive event.

Tickets for the event (also doubled as our raffle tickets)

Walking up to the school, we were met by ticket-takers decked out in black suits.  They put neon yellow bracelets on everyone (the only non-elegant element of the evening) and ushered us to the red carpet that led into the almost-complete gym.  (The gym floor itself is complete and the room completely useable, but the finishing touches are missing, as are the upstairs offices, weight room, and storage areas).

I hardly recognized the gym that had been used back in February for the Intercolegial (sports tournament).  Black fabric lined the entire ceiling - I want to know how they managed THAT - and cushy (looking) chairs and ottomans filled the room.  Each cluster of chairs was reserved for a different groups: administration, teachers, each past graduating class, and parents of current students (also divided by class).

The dance floor was illuminated with white twinkle lights, oversized stars and countless disco balls.

The dance floor itself was a series of square lights that alternated lighting up with "ASA" and other colorful patterns.

Even though the event didn't start until 9 P.M. (and we were some of the first to arrive when we walked in at nearly 9:30), a full dinner was served.  Trays of appetizers were brought to us and shortly after the buffet lines were opened up for us to enjoy Chinese food from a local restaurant (a restaurant owned by the parents of current students at the school).

While everyone visited and ate, a slide show looped continuously in the background, showcasing pictures of the original ASA facility as well as various alumni from the past 30 years.  The art students also drew caricatures of current staff, including Brandon:

The event also doubled as a class reunion for everyone that had graduated 5, 10, 15, 20, 25 or 30 years ago.  It's hard to see in the picture, but they had a giant tiered cake with candles for each graduating class that was there to celebrate a landmark "reunion".  Each group was called up to blow out their candle and toast with their fellow alumni.

And if you want to see a photo of Brandon and me, you'll have to visit the local newspaper's (abc color) website and click through to the fourth picture!