Seniors Commence 99-Day Countdown

There are less than four months left before Commencement, and the senior class is getting ready to start celebrating their final "99 Days" in style.

Tonight, from 9 p.m. to 1 a.m. is the annual kick-off party at the Hong Kong Restaurant and Lounge, the first in a series of events marking the countdown to graduation.

While entrance to the first party is free, First Class Marshal Tally Zingher '99 said seniors who want to drink would have to pay.

The Harvard Alumni Association (HAA) forwards the class committee the necessary funds to cover the "99 Days" events. The senior class committee plans to pay back HAA by selling class memorabilia items.

Zingher said she expects large crowds tonight; she said last year so many seniors came to the Kong by 11 p.m. that they had to be turned away.

Zinger said seniors have been given calendars so will all know about upcoming celebrations. Class committee members will also be playing music on the steps of Widener Library to advertise the event.

"People have been talking about it, there are posters and it has gone out over house e-mail lists," Zingher said. "The tradition has only been built over the last few years, so our class is psyched."

Besides the Kong event, the class committee is busy planning the other "99 Days" events.

"[There is] senior night at the Hasty Pudding Theatricals show, the senior soiree, champagne brunch, senior sleepout, etc," Zingher wrote in an e-mail message.

In addition to the annual traditions, the Class of 1999 has some new plans for this year, including a trip to the St. Patrick's Day Parade and a senior community service day.