How Did Walls Dress for Mamma Mia Themed Spring Fling?

In a sea of leis and inflatable palm trees, School Without Walls hosted its annual Spring Fling dance at the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Library rooftop on May 16.

The theme for the dance was Mamma Mia, a film known for its colorful Greek island setting and lively social atmosphere. Outfits with a sparkly, light, or flowy appeal were often associated with the event. Students began arriving as early as 6:30 p.m. and departed no later than 10:00 p.m.

When deciding where to shop for the event, many students relied on in-person experiences to better visualize their outfits. Violetta Rohr (‘26) said she often visits “Pentagon City and Tyson’s” malls. Students also viewed in-person shopping as a welcome opportunity to spend time with friends and family. Rocio Marin-Hormigo (‘28) said she often shops at Windsor for occasions like this.

However, some students found it more efficient to shop online, noting that digital platforms can be just as effective in finding appealing options. When shopping for Spring Fling attire, students expressed a wide range of preferences. Marin-Hormigo (‘28) said she was drawn to “a lot of color.” Genevieve Pezalla-Werth (‘28) predicted that “the color palette will be lighter and the dresses will be more flowy.” These creative choices helped shape the dance’s overall aesthetic.

Sophie Fetsch (‘26) added that Spring Fling was “more florals.” Though the dance’s Mamma Mia theme inspired some, not everyone saw it as an important influence on their style choices. Pezalla-Werth (‘28) said, “The theme didn’t affect my decision-making or the dance that much.” Even though themes offer inspiration for those who enjoy dressing accordingly, they’re not mandatory and are meant to be a fun, optional part of the event. Fetsch (‘26) said, “I thought about the theme and ignored it.”

Spring Fling is often seen as a more casual alternative to Prom or Homecoming. Students noted that this difference was evident not only in the event’s atmosphere but in the dress expectations as well.

Pezalla-Werth (‘28) explained, “Spring Fling is more casual than Homecoming because Homecoming is a bigger event.” Rohr (‘26) added that “long dresses are more accepted at Spring Fling,” showing that while there is freedom, students still expect a certain level of formality.

Fetsch (‘26) concluded that the dance was “really cute.” Spring Fling continues to be an exciting tradition hosted by Walls, giving students creative freedom in how they dress and engage with the theme.