Georgia Rozes

May Court seniors rehearse the princess bows for the ceremony.

Despite the fact that half of the senior princesses who applied would be voted in, Chiara Arendt and Myrtle Guarisco made the cut for the 2024 May Court. 

May Day is an annual school ceremony which features the May Pole, a student talent show, and two dance performances from the court, all led by student volunteer hosts. This year, the celebration will be held on May 3 during Life class at 1:30 p.m., and the bell schedule will be adjusted accordingly.

May Court applicants had to fill out several steps to be chosen for the ballot. It required items such as short responses to questions, a five-by-seven inch headshot, recommendation letters, and a collage of the applicant’s interests. 

Students also had to give a speech, three minutes or less, to a panel of staff members and ASB members. May Court is somewhat representative of the student body, so this process helps ensure that those chosen are deserving community members.

“To me it was definitely marketed as like, you are part of the one percent almost; you’re very community oriented and you care about helping other people, and you’re representing the 2024 class by being out there,” Arendt said. “It’s definitely very daunting to have to represent, what, 450 people?”

The court has been rehearsing for two to three hours on Sunday evenings to prepare for the special requirements of the dances.

“The beginning was just learning how to walk properly and theatrically and how to actually Waltz with your partner so it doesn’t look like you’ve never danced a day before in your life,” Guarisco said. “We only started the fast dance after spring break. In my opinion, that was way more fun to learn than the Waltz because the Waltz, I mean, the song is slow so you have to keep your attention focused.”

Arendt and Guarisco had different reasons for joining the court. Arendt was exposed to the traditions of the court when covering it for the yearbook.

“In my sophomore year, my biggest yearbook assignment that I had to do was do the May Day spread, so like, the biggest turnaround ever,” Arendt said. “In three days you’re shooting, you’re interviewing, you’re designing, and then you’re shipping the entire yearbook off in the span of three days. It’s insane. So I’m at both performances and I’m photographing and I’m like, ‘Oh my God, this is so graceful and beautiful. I think this is something I want to do.’”

Guarisco is part of the school’s jazz band, which plays during the May Court introductions where the princesses and princes walk in their partnerships, bow, and go to sit in the risers. The process can become long, specifically when including rehearsal time.

“I was really wanting to get involved in senior traditions,” Guarisco said. “I was playing in the pep band at a basketball game with Kellan [Schleef], who’s my partner on May Court. I turned over to him and I was like, ’What if we did May Court? Then we wouldn’t have to play the processional music the band plays as the court walks out.’”

Guarisco was surprised by the formal nature of rehearsals, and how different the setting was compared to a regular day of high school.

“You are in situations that you never expect to be in,” Guarisco said. “Watching my peers walk with books on their heads through the Aux gym while Mrs. Kaiser is yelling at us— that’s something I never expected to do.”

While nine princes applied for May Court— the exact required amount— double the amount of seniors applied to be princesses. Arendt advises that future applicants keep their expectations realistic.

“Mentally prepare yourself. Especially if you’re going for princess, rejection is possible,” Arendt said. “There were 18 princesses who applied and I can’t say a bad thing about anyone. They’re all such good students and citizens of our community, I don’t know how I could choose just nine.”

For more behind-the-scenes details, listen to the newest episode of The West Linn Weekly Wakeup with Arendt and Guarisco, hosted by Finn Howell, Coverage Editor, and Preston Weller, Arts and Entertainment Editor.