Graduating from high school and entering college means graduation from childhood and entrance into adulthood. Yet the general atmosphere of last year's freshman and sophomore banquet, The Big Kahuna, a lower classman substitute for the junior-senior banquet, was a flashback to junior high.

While the freshmen-sophomore banquet need not to have the expense or quality of the junior-senior banquet, more money and more planning could make the JSB substitute match the mentality of college-age students.

Portland boasts a plethora of refined entertainment. The freshman-sophomore banquet committee could use local music and drama talents. Multnomah has many talented bands and singers, such as Destiny, as do other colleges and churches in Portland.

The entertainment of last year's Big Kahuna left much room for improvement. Students sat and passed a beach ball. If people missed the ball, they were out. Such events are immature for college-age students. Although the games fit the theme of the Big Kahuna, they were more fitting for a junior high camp at the beach. Live entertainment would better reflect the maturing taste of college students. Also, decorations such as candles and tablecloths would give the banquet's meeting place a classy atmosphere. Pasta dishes, cultural dishes or simple desserts would add elegance.

Inexpensive restaurants such as JJ North's or Izzy's have banquet rooms. Students could pay for their meals and the class representatives could contribute money for decorations and entertainment.

The main entrée at the Big Kahuna consisted of pizza. Pizza is a great meal at a football game, but at a banquet substitute? Just because freshmen and sophomores are lower classmen, does that mean they have lower class?

Stugo has no budget for a freshman and sophomore banquet this year. The student government should have a base amount of $100-$200 to establish one. The base amount would help class representatives plan a nicer banquet. Last year, the sophomore and freshman men's and women's class representatives donated $100 each to the event. The representatives then asked students who attended the event to pay $2 to make up for lacking funds. Making an event with limited money took effort and ingenuity.

But this year, instead of only a $2 entrance charge, students could contribute $5. Themes and games are grand, but not at the expense of students' dignity. The lower classmen should feel that their banquet is first class.