After a year hiatus, students at Hillcrest Academy will again get to take part in their annual banquet tradition. Since 1949, the school has hosted the banquet event for upperclassmen, designed and organized by the junior class and their parents. Hillcrest alumni Jordan Peters will be cooking this year’s meal with Cindy Bontrager and Carolyn Detweiler helping with desserts. The sophomore class will also volunteer their time to serve the meal and provide valet service for those attending the event.

Festivities start with a drive-up at the school, where students and their dates get the chance to show off their varied rides to family and the community. After the drive-up students will be treated to a three-course meal and entertainment at the event barn of Dick and Donna Swartzendruber, from 5-9 p.m. followed by “After Banquet” from 10 p.m. to 2 a.m. at the Kalona YMCA. This year’s aesthetic selected by the students is a rustic and classy cottage.