A Gatsby get-together: AP English students enjoy speakeasy

Period accurate? Meh. A mildly educational hoot? Certainly.

The AP English class enjoyed taking a break from its post-exam project presentations by rekindling the wild revelry immortalized in F. Scott Fitzgerald's The Great Gatsby and holding its very own speakeasy in class today.

Dancing was a popular activity during the afternoon event

Although there is no indication that swing dancing was alive during the Prohibition Era of the 1920s, Elke Arnesen and Chaz Wolf, who frequently dance at Lancaster Swing Dance, led a demonstration after which most of the class -- save for the curmudgeon writing this article -- enthusiastically participated.

Class members enjoyed food including cucumber sandwiches -- a snack in The Importance of Being Earnest, another work the class read during its death march towards the AP exam that concluded when they took the exam on May 4. Most students also dressed as if they were attending one of the rebellious soirees meant to subvert the 18th Amendment to the United States Constitution, which banned alcohol.

It is worth noting that no alcohol was served at the event, however, sparkling cider was a first rate substitute.

Many students dressed up for the event in moderately period accurate garb

In addition to swing dancing, the class eventually progressed to waltzing and silent movie charades, obviously befitting the events of the 1920s.

"It reminds me of Heart of Darkness," says Kevin Reed without explanation. His participation could be characterized as less than enthusiastic.

Conversely, Arnesen, who organized the party, embodied an ebullient persona throughout the afternoon.

"I like the time period, and I have a flapper dress that I never wear," she says.

It will be back to the grind of Kahoots and literary analysis tomorrow, but for today, a speakeasy served as a marginally enjoyable -- depending who you ask -- respite.

--Benjamin Pontz, LSNews.org Editor-In-Chief