As First Year Council found out first hand, the hardest part of putting together any type of event is getting organized when time is short. FYC had a rough start, having to deal with election fraud at the beginning of the year. However, everything was pulled together just in time for the First-Year Mardi Gras Bash.

Ashley Earnest, first-year Senator and co-chairwoman on the decorations committee, has been a part of the planning from the beginning. She said getting started was pretty hectic.

“[Because of the short amount of time], we’ve had to have weekly meetings for the past month,” Earnest said.

First Year Council created committees right away, such as the publicity, entertainment, decorations, tickets and food committees, to break down the planning stages for the Mardi Gras Bash.

“If it wasn’t for the committees,” Earnest said, “nothing would have turned out the way it did.”

Arlene Manthey, director of student activities and the 2006 class adviser, is “really looking forward to the event.” There will be plenty of activities, including gambling, button-making, dancing, prizes and food, which will be catered by Razoos.

“I think the Mardi Gras Bash will turn out really well,” Katie Walton, first-year treasurer and dual committee member said. “Now that it’s an event rather than a formal, much of the pressure should be eliminated.”

Earnest agrees.

“I always have more fun when I’m not in a puffy dress anyway,” she said.

Like Mustang Idol, the Mardi Gras Bash is an event for everyone, Manthey said.

“The attendance will be reflective of SMU in general,” she said. “The Bash is an opportunity for anyone to come and have a great time.”

Manthey praises the group for their hard work in putting the event together.

“This class [has been] working harder than previous classes in a shorter time period,” Manthey said. “They’ve done exceptional work.”